Results of the Cologne Corona Surveillance (CoCoS) project- a cross-sectional study: survey data on risk factors of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and moderate-to-severe course in primarily immunized adults.

Background: Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccination has been a crucial strategy for mitigating transmission and disease severity. However, vaccine-effectiveness may be influenced by various factors, including booster vaccination, as well as personal factors such as age, sex, BMI, smoking, and comorbidities. To investigate the potential effects of these factors on SARS-CoV-2 infection and disease severity, we analyzed data from the third round of the Cologne Corona Surveillance (CoCoS) project, a large cross-sectional survey.

Results of the Cologne Corona Surveillance (CoCoS) study - a cross-sectional study: survey data on risk factors of SARS-CoV-2 infection in adults.

Background: The personal, environmental, and behavioral risk factors that play an important role in the spread of SARS-CoV-2 are still largely unclear. At the same time, there is limited evidence on the effectiveness of specific countermeasures for SARS-CoV-2. As a first approach to these questions, we use data from the Cologne Corona Surveillance (CoCoS) study, a large cross-sectional study conducted in Cologne, Germany, in June 2021.

Apathy in patients with Alzheimer's disease is a cost-driving factor.

Background: Apathy is the most frequent neuropsychiatric symptom in patients with dementia of the Alzheimer's type (DAT). We analyzed the influence of apathy on the resource use of DAT patients and their caregivers.

Methods: Included were baseline data of 107 DAT patients from a randomized clinical trial on apathy treatment.

Results of the Cologne Corona surveillance (CoCoS) study - a prospective population-based cohort study: incidence data and potential underestimation of new SARS-CoV-2 adult infections by health authorities.

Background: Current incidence estimates of SARS-CoV-2 in Germany rely to a large extent on case notifications. However, the large number of mild or asymptomatic infections is likely to result in underestimation. Population-based studies can provide valid estimates of the SARS-CoV-2 incidence and thus support health authorities to monitor the epidemiological situation and to initiate, maintain, strengthen or relax effective countermeasures.

Is trained communication about desire to die harmful for patients receiving palliative care? A cohort study.

Background: Palliative patients frequently express a desire to die. Health professionals report uncertainty regarding potential risks of addressing it.

Aim: We aim to evaluate effects of desire to die-conversations on palliative patients.

Impaired vascular endothelial function as a perioperative risk predictor - a prospective observational trial.

Background: In the recent years, an increasing number of patients with multiple comorbidities (e.g. coronary artery disease, diabetes, hypertension) presents to the operating room.

Vascular tone regulation in renal interlobar arteries of male rats is dysfunctional after intrauterine growth restriction.

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) due to an adverse intrauterine environment predisposes to arterial hypertension and loss of kidney function. Here, we investigated whether vascular dysregulation in renal interlobar arteries (RIAs) may contribute to hypertensive glomerular damage after IUGR. In rats, IUGR was induced by bilateral uterine vessel ligation.

Bupropion for the Treatment of Apathy in Alzheimer Disease: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Apathy is a frequent neuropsychiatric symptom in dementia of Alzheimer type and negatively affects the disease course and patients' and caregivers' quality of life. Effective treatment options are needed.

Objective: To examine the efficacy and safety of the dopamine and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor bupropion in the treatment of apathy in patients with dementia of Alzheimer type.

The desire to die in palliative care: a sequential mixed methods study to develop a semi-structured clinical approach.

Background: Although desire to die of varying intensity and permanence is frequent in patients receiving palliative care, uncertainty exists concerning appropriate therapeutic responses to it. To support health professionals in dealing with patients´ potential desire to die, a training program and a semi-structured clinical approach was developed. This study aimed for a revision of and consensus building on the clinical approach to support proactively addressing desire to die and routine exploration of death and dying distress.

Pharmaco-epidemiological research on herbal medicinal products in the paediatric population: data from the PhytoVIS study.

In paediatrics, clinical study data are limited, especially on herbal medicinal products. To address this gap, 2063 datasets from the paediatric population were evaluated in the PhytoVIS data base. By screening for paediatric data, information on indication, gender, treatment, co-medication and tolerability were evaluated.

Shortened up-dosing with sublingual immunotherapy drops containing tree allergens is well tolerated and elicits dose-dependent clinical effects during the first pollen season.

Background: This study compared a rapid home-based up-dosing schedule for sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) drops containing tree pollen allergens with two previously established schedules. Furthermore, the clinical effect of the SLIT was investigated with respect to patients' first pollen season under treatment.

Methods: In this open-label, prospective, patient-preference, non-interventional study, local and systemic reactions were compared between three up-dosing groups using a SLIT formulation containing birch, alder, and hazel pollen extracts (ORALVAC Compact ).

Liposomal Eye Spray Is as Effective as Antihistamine Eye Drops in Patients with Allergic Rhinoconjunctivitis Induced by Conjunctival Provocation Testing.

Background: Liposomal eye spray (LS) has been introduced for the treatment of dry eye. Whether LS can also relieve symptoms due to allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC) has not yet been sufficiently investigated.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the onset of action, the reduction of allergy symptoms, and the safety of LS - a nonpharmacological treatment option - compared with those of antihistamine eye drops (AD).

Ectoine-Containing Inhalation Solution versus Saline Inhalation Solution in the Treatment of Acute Bronchitis and Acute Respiratory Infections: A Prospective, Controlled, Observational Study.

Purpose: This study investigated an inhalation solution containing ectoine, a bacterial-derived extremolyte, for the treatment of acute bronchitis and acute respiratory infections in comparison with saline inhalation solution.

Methods: This prospective, controlled, observational study comprised an inclusion visit (day 1), a final visit (day 7), and a follow-up questionnaire (day 17). The treatment itself was administered from day 1 to day 7.

Success factors for adherence in hyposensitization.

For the success of an immunotherapy regimen, adherence is a major success factor. The goal of our study was to identify the factors that positively and negatively influence patient compliance, and to create strategies to improve it. Four questionnaires were designed for different patient groups: A - after immunotherapy; B - during immunotherapy; C - before immunotherapy; D - no experience with immunotherapy.

Impaired sports performance of athletes suffering from pollen-induced allergic rhinitis: a cross-sectional, observational survey in German athletes.

Background: Allergic rhinitis has major impacts on sports performance of athletes. The present study aimed at determining the frequency of seasonal pollen allergy and analyzing the impacts of pollen allergy, the choice of allergy treatments and their benefits for sports performance in a group of professional and recreational athletes.

Methods: The study was conducted as a self-reported questionnaire survey.

Early nonreactivity in the conjunctival provocation test predicts beneficial outcome of sublingual immunotherapy.

Background: Clinical practice needs a common parameter that can provide an early, reliable estimation of the outcome of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in an upcoming pollen season. We investigated whether the conjunctival provocation test (CPT) can predict the beneficial outcome of SLIT in patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis after 4 weeks of treatment.

Methods: We conducted two separate prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trials.

Lolium perenne peptide immunotherapy is well tolerated and elicits a protective B-cell response in seasonal allergic rhinitis patients.

Background: Systemic allergic reactions are a risk for allergen immunotherapy that utilizes intact allergen preparations. We evaluated the safety, efficacy and immune mechanisms of short-course treatment with adjuvant-free Lolium perenne peptides (LPP) following a 6-week dose-escalation protocol.

Methods: In a prospective, dose-escalation study, 61 grass pollen-allergic patients received 2 subcutaneous injections of LPP once weekly for 6 weeks.

RCAT reflects symptom control and quality of life in allergic rhinoconjunctivitis patients.

Background: The Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA LEN) Taskforce has requested more data on correlations between various patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in clinical trials on allergy. We compared three tools-the Rhinitis Control Assessment Test (RCAT), Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) and Rhinitis Total Symptom Score (RTSS)-to determine whether the RCAT alone is a sufficient primary outcome parameter in clinical trials on allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.

Methods: In two double-blind, placebo-controlled immunotherapy studies, 33 patients allergic to grass pollen and 94 to birch pollen completed two questionnaires (RCAT and RQLQ) and kept their own symptom diary from which the RTSS was calculated.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-finding trial with Lolium perenne peptide immunotherapy.

Background: A novel subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy formulation (gpASIT+™) containing Lolium perenne peptides (LPP) and having a short up-dosing phase has been developed to treat grass pollen-induced seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. We investigated peptide immunotherapy containing the hydrolysate from perennial ryegrass allergens for the optimum dose in terms of clinical efficacy, immunogenicity and safety.

Methods: This prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase IIb, parallel, four-arm, dose-finding study randomized 198 grass pollen-allergic adults to receive placebo or cumulative doses of 70, 170 or 370 μg LPP.

Dose-finding study of carbamylated monomeric allergoid tablets in grass-allergic rhinoconjunctivitis patients.

Aim: To determine the optimal effective and safe dose of sublingual immunotherapy tablets containing carbamylated monomeric allergoids in patients with grass pollen-induced allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.

Methods: In this prospective, randomized, double-blind, active-controlled, multicenter, Phase II study, four different daily doses were applied preseasonally for 12 weeks.

Results: Of 158 randomized adults, 155 subjects (safety population) received 300 units of allergy (UA)/day (n = 36), 600 UA/day (n = 43), 1000 UA/day (n = 39), or 2000 UA/day (n = 37).

Dexpanthenol: An Overview of its Contribution to Symptom Relief in Acute Rhinitis Treated with Decongestant Nasal Sprays.

Unlabelled: Nasal blockage is the most bothersome symptom of acute rhinitis. Nasal decongestant sprays containing alpha-sympathomimetics, such as oxymetazoline and xylometazoline, have a rapid onset of action. However, this effect decreases with repeated application and, furthermore, the ciliary function of the nasal mucosa is practically paralyzed.

Ultra-short-course booster is effective in recurrent grass pollen-induced allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.

Background: A relevant proportion of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC) patients experience recurrent symptoms after successfully completing allergen immunotherapy (AIT). This prospective, controlled, noninterventional study used internationally standardized instruments to determine the clinical effects of a preseasonal, ultra-short-course booster AIT on clinical outcome parameters.

Methods: This two-arm study included patients aged ≥12 years with recurrent grass pollen-induced seasonal AR who had completed a successful course of any grass pollen AIT at least 5 years before enrolment.

Management of Grass Pollen Allergy with 5-Grass Pollen Tablet: Results of a 2-Year Real-Life Study.

Introduction: Allergen immunotherapy is the only treatment option for allergic rhinitis with disease-altering potential. It was the objective of this study to assess the effectiveness and tolerability of a 5-grass pollen tablet in a large population of non-selected grass pollen allergic patients, i.e.