Psychosocial issues and quality of life associated with food allergy.

The day-to-day challenges involved in caring for a child with food allergies can be a significant stress within a family. As the child with a food allergy grows up, developmental changes as well as external influences such as bullying and peer pressure can further influence these stressors. When the child with a food allergy is young, the family may be limited on where they can vacation or go out to restaurants, which can cause tension and frustration within the family.

AR101 Oral Immunotherapy for Peanut Allergy.

Background: Peanut allergy, for which there are no approved treatment options, affects patients who are at risk for unpredictable and occasionally life-threatening allergic reactions.

Methods: In a phase 3 trial, we screened participants 4 to 55 years of age with peanut allergy for allergic dose-limiting symptoms at a challenge dose of 100 mg or less of peanut protein (approximately one third of a peanut kernel) in a double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge. Participants with an allergic response were randomly assigned, in a 3:1 ratio, to receive AR101 (a peanut-derived investigational biologic oral immunotherapy drug) or placebo in an escalating-dose program.

Validation of a single survey that can be used for case identification and assessment of asthma control: the Breathmobile Program.

Background: Underdiagnosis of asthma and underrecognition of disease severity in lower socioeconomic populations continue to be significant health care concerns despite national efforts to better educate health care providers.

Objective: To validate a 1-page survey as a point-in-time tool identifying uncontrolled vs controlled asthma and moderate-to-severe disease activity in an urban, lower-socioeconomic pediatric population.

Methods: A previously validated survey (the Breathmobile Case Identification Survey) was evaluated as a point-in-time tool for identifying children with poorly controlled disease.

Relationship between nonallergic upper airway disease and asthma.

A growing body of scientific evidence supports the link between nonallergic upper airway disorders and asthma. Multiple studies have demonstrated that most patients with nonallergic asthma have chronic nasal symptoms as well as radiographic evidence of sinus mucosal disease. Equally important, preexisting symptoms of rhinitis place nonallergic patients at higher risk for developing asthma.