Safety of Epicutaneous Immunotherapy in Peanut-Allergic Children: REALISE Randomized Clinical Trial Results.

Background: Treatment options for peanut allergy are limited. In previous clinical trials, epicutaneous immunotherapy with a patch containing 250-μg peanut protein (Viaskin Peanut 250 μg [VP250]) was well tolerated and statistically superior to placebo in desensitizing peanut-allergic children.

Objective: To examine the safety of VP250 in children, using a study design approximating potential real-world use.

Asthma Surveillance - United States, 2006-2018.

Problem: Asthma is a chronic disease of the airways that requires ongoing medical management. Socioeconomic and demographic factors as well as health care use might influence health patterns in urban and rural areas. Persons living in rural areas tend to have less access to health care and health resources and worse health outcomes.

Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of a New 10% Intravenous Immunoglobulin for the Treatment of Primary Immunodeficiencies.

We report here the results of a phase 3 study to assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of GC5107, a new 10% liquid intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in preventing serious bacterial infections in patients with primary immunodeficiency (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02783482). Over a 12-month study period, 49 patients aged 3 to 70 years with a confirmed diagnosis of primary immunodeficiency received GC5107 at doses ranging from 319 to 881 mg/kg body weight every 21 or 28 days, according to their previous IVIG maintenance therapy.

The Role of Temperature Change, Ambient Temperature, and Relative Humidity in Allergic Conjunctivitis in a US Veteran Population.

Purpose: Studies have implicated temperature and humidity in the pathogenesis of allergic conjunctivitis (AC), as these conditions facilitate air particulate and aeroallergen dispersion and tear film instability. Research also suggests that variation in temperature is associated with risk of asthma, but similar data are limited for AC. This study examined associations between several meteorologic conditions, including temperature variation, and AC visit risk.

Viral Sequencing to Investigate Sources of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in US Healthcare Personnel.

Background: Healthcare personnel (HCP) are at increased risk of infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We posit that current infection control guidelines generally protect HCP from SARS-CoV-2 infection in a healthcare setting.

Methods: In this retrospective case series, we used viral genomics to investigate the likely source of SARS-CoV-2 infection in HCP at a major academic medical institution in the Upper Midwest of the United States between 25 March and 27 December 2020.

ANCA-associated Vasculitis Management in the United States: Data From the Rheumatology Informatics System for Effectiveness (RISE) Registry.

Objective: The management of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) has evolved substantially over the last 2 decades. We sought to characterize AAV treatment patterns in the United States.

Methods: We identified patients with AAV in the Rheumatology Informatics System for Effectiveness (RISE) registry who had at least 2 rheumatology clinician visits between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2017.

InforMing the PAthway of COPD Treatment (IMPACT Trial) Single-Inhaler Triple Therapy (Fluticasone Furoate/Umeclidinium/Vilanterol) Versus Fluticasone Furoate/Vilanterol and Umeclidinium/Vilanterol in Patients With COPD: Analysis of the Western Europe and North America Regions.

Background: The InforMing the Pathway of COPD Treatment (IMPACT) trial demonstrated lower moderate/severe exacerbation rates with fluticasone furoate/umeclidinium/vilanterol (FF/UMEC/VI) versus FF/VI or UMEC/VI in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and a history of exacerbations. Since IMPACT was a global study, post-hoc analyses were conducted by geographic region to investigate potential differences in overall findings.

Methods: IMPACT was a 52-week, randomized, double-blind trial.

Living, working conditions and mental health: a study with Brazilian and Spanish workers who work in hospital cleaning services.

Objective: To compare living, work and health conditions, with a particular interest in the mental health of Brazilian and Spanish outsourced hospital cleaning workers.

Method: This is a cross-sectional, quantitative investigation carried out in two public general hospitals, one in the Brazilian Midwest region of São Paulo and the other in the Southwest region of the Iberian Peninsula. In total, 78 Brazilian hospital workers and 39 Spanish hospital workers were interviewed using a script with data on the living conditions, including some validated questionnaires such as the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) and Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20).

Home Oxygen Evaluation by Respiratory Therapists in Patients Hospitalized for COPD Exacerbations: The RIsOTTO Study.

Background: The majority of prescriptions for supplemental oxygen are written when patients are discharged to home from the hospital and the evaluation of these patients is inconsistent. Respiratory Therapists receive training in the evaluation and management of patients needing oxygen. The primary goal of the study was to estimate the frequency with which respiratory therapists (RTs) evaluate the need for home oxygen in patients hospitalized for COPD exacerbations before discharge.

Regional Disparities in Qualified Health Plans' Prior Authorization Requirements for HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis in the United States.

Importance: With the goal of ending the HIV epidemic in the United States, access to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is essential to help curb new HIV infections. There has been differential uptake of PrEP by region, with the South lagging behind other regions. Discriminatory benefit design (benefit design that prevents or delays people with complex or expensive conditions from obtaining appropriate treatment) through prior authorization requirements could be a systemic barrier that contributes to the decreased PrEP uptake in the South.

Analysis of Sinus Balloon Catheter Dilation Providers Based on Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment Data.

Background: The use of balloon catheter dilation (BCD) to treat chronic rhinosinusitis has increased dramatically since its conception, necessitating further characterization of BCD providers and trends in its usage. Medicare data on BCD providers have made it possible to study recent demographic patterns. There has also been an increase in mid-level providers' scope of otolaryngologic practice that is not well defined.

Patient and site characteristics associated with pirfenidone and nintedanib use in the United States; an analysis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients enrolled in the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation Patient Registry.

Background: Pragmatic use of the anti-fibrotic medications pirfenidone and nintedanib for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in the United States (US) has not been studied and may be different from international settings due to structural differences between health care systems. This study examined the relationship between patient- and site-level characteristics and anti-fibrotic (a) use and (b) selection.

Methods: Data from the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation Patient Registry was used to perform univariable and multivariable regressions with generalized linear mixed models.

Determining Effects of Winter Weather Conditions on Adult (Acari: Ixodidae) Survival in Connecticut and Maine, USA.

The lone star tick ( L.) is native to the United States, with its primary range encompassing the Southeast and portions of the Midwest. It is an aggressive ectoparasite that actively seeks out hosts through detection of carbon dioxide and vibrations and can transfer ehrlichiosis-causing bacteria as well as a carbohydrate that causes alpha-gal syndrome (red meat allergy) in humans.

COPE for asthma: Outcomes of a cognitive behavioral intervention for children with asthma and anxiety.

Asthma is the most common childhood chronic condition and a major contributor to school absences and lost instructional time. Children with asthma have a higher risk of internalizing disorders, such as anxiety and depression, which can further complicate asthma management. The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of a manualized, cognitive-behavioral skills-building intervention for children with asthma and anxiety.

Does location matter? Geographic variations in healthcare resource use for atopic dermatitis in the United States.

Background: It is unknown which region of the U.S. offers the best and worst access to care for atopic dermatitis (AD).

Residential proximity to concentrated animal feeding operations and allergic and respiratory disease.

Background: Air emissions from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO) have been associated with respiratory and allergic symptoms among farm workers, primarily on swine farms. Despite the increasing prevalence of CAFOs, few studies have assessed respiratory health implications among residents living near CAFOs and few have looked at the health impacts of dairy CAFOs.

Objectives: The goal of this study was to examine objective and subjective measures of respiratory and allergic health among rural residents living near dairy CAFOs in a general population living in the Upper Midwest of the United States.

Penicillin Allergy Evaluation: A Prospective, Multicenter, Open-Label Evaluation of a Comprehensive Penicillin Skin Test Kit.

Background: Ten percent of the population claims an allergy to penicillin, but 90% of these individuals are not allergic. Patients labeled as penicillin-allergic have higher medical costs, longer hospital stays, are more likely to be treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics, and develop drug-resistant bacterial infections. Most penicillin skin test reagents are not approved by the Food and drug Administration or readily available to evaluate patients labeled penicillin-allergic.

Documentation of asthma control and severity in pediatrics: analysis of national office-based visits.

To evaluate the extent of documentation of asthma control and severity and associated characteristics among pediatric asthma patients in office-based settings. This cross-sectional study utilized data from the 2012-2015 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS). Patients aged 6-17 years with a diagnosis of asthma were included.

Effect of Lanadelumab Compared With Placebo on Prevention of Hereditary Angioedema Attacks: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Current treatments for long-term prophylaxis in hereditary angioedema have limitations.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of lanadelumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody that selectively inhibits active plasma kallikrein, in preventing hereditary angioedema attacks.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial conducted at 41 sites in Canada, Europe, Jordan, and the United States.

Sarcoidosis deaths in the United States: 1999-2016.

Background: It has been over a decade since a comprehensive study has been published that has examined sarcoidosis deaths at the national level. The purpose of this study was to analyze sarcoidosis as the underlying cause of death using current national death certificate data. Results from this project can be used to evaluate and compare trends of sarcoidosis reported deaths across the U.

Colorectal cancer screening in hospitalized patients: results from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is preventable with regular screening. This study aims to determine estimates and predictors of inpatient CRC screening during hospitalization in the USA. This nationwide population-based study utilized data from the National Inpatient Sample database from 2005 to 2014 to examine rates of CRC screening among hospitalized patients.