1,721,007 research outputs found

    Natural remedies for acute post-viral cough in children

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    The post-viral acute cough is the most common symptom in childhood. Consequently, the use of cough relievers is frequent. Many products for treating cough contain natural components. An ancient tradition has always established herbal medicine and honey as effective and safe means to relieve cough. Nevertheless, very few studies adequately investigated the real effectiveness and safety of natural products in treating acute cough. There is some evidence, provided by pediatric randomized controlled trials, about honey, one multicomponent product (containing Plantagolanceolata, Grindelia robusta, Helichrysum italicum, and honey), and Pelargonium sidoides. Other group of substances, including glycerol and isolated natural compounds, can help manage cough but robust evidence still lacks in children. There is an urgent need to perform rigorous studies that confirm the natural products' efficacy and safety for relieving post-viral acute cough.Key points: Acute post-viral cough is prevalent in childhood and adolescence. There is a growing interest concerning the use of natural remedies for post-viral cough. Many herbal medicines could be used satisfactorily for this issue. (C) 2021 Codon Publications. Published by Codon Publications

    Is Bronchodilation Testing Routinely Useful in All Asthmatic Children?

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    : Background: The reversibility of bronchial obstruction is needed to diagnose asthma. Bronchodilation (BD) testing is, therefore, used in asthma work-up. This study explored the benefit of performing BD testing in asthmatic children without bronchial obstruction. Methods: The study included 60 subjects with asthma and normal lung function, 13 (21.7%) females and 47 (78.3%) males; the mean age was 11.5 years, 26 were adolescents, and 34 were children. Lung function, symptoms, use of asthma medications, type 2 inflammation, and asthma control were assessed in all subjects. Results: Eleven (18%) subjects positively responded to BD testing. Fifty-five percent of subjects were uncontrolled based on Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) criteria. The multivariate analysis identified 2 factors associated with a positive response to BD testing: FEV1 [odds ratio (OR) = 0.91) and ACT (OR = 0.79). Conclusions: This study showed that BD testing could give additional helpful information in clinical practice. In addition, uncontrolled asthma, based on GINA criteria, was prevalent in children with normal lung function

    Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis: the role of personalized and integrated medicine

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    Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) is a frequent disorder. From a clinical and an immunopathological point of view, different phenotypes and endotypes have been identified. The frequent comorbidity with asthma allowed to pave the way to the use of biological agents for the treatment of CRSwNP. Biological agents are targeted to antagonize IgE, interleukin (IL) 4, IL-5, and IL-13 at present. However, a correct and appropriate workup is mandatory, mainly concerning the exact definition of the specific pheno-endotype. The preliminary outcomes are promising, even though there is a need for well-established indications, criteria of responsiveness, duration, and safety. On the other hand, this personalized medicine could be fruitfully integrated with gold-standard medications, such as intranasal corticosteroids. As CRSwNP is a chronic disorder, treatment should be long-lasting, so complementary anti-inflammatory treatments could be opportunely integrated and/or alternated to steroids

    An International Survey on the pragmatic management of epistaxis

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    Epistaxis is one of the most common ear, nose and throat emergencies. The management of epistaxis has evolved significantly in recent years, including the use of nasal cautery and packs. However, a correct treatment requires the knowledge of nasal anatomy, potential risks, and complications of treatment. Epistaxis is often a simple and readily treatable condition, even though a significant bleed may have potentially severe consequences. At present, there are very few guidelines concerning this topic. The current Survey explored the pragmatic approach in managing epistaxis. A questionnaire, including 7 practical questions has been used. The current International Survey on epistaxis management reported a relevant prevalence (21.7%), mainly during childhood and senescence, an important hospitalization rate (11.8%), the common use of anterior packing and electrocoagulation, and the popular prescription of a vitamin supplement and intranasal creams

    Role of FEF(25-75) in managing children with newly-diagnosed asthma in clinical practice

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    BACKGROUND: Reversible bronchial obstruction characterizes asthma. Spirometry is the gold standard to assess airflow, and FEV(1) is the most reliable parameter in this regard. However, many children with asthma have FEV(1) within the normal range despite uncontrolled asthma and worsening. Therefore, FEF(25-75) has been proposed as a valuable marker of early airflow impairment. This study aimed at investigating FEF(25-75) in a cohort of children with newly diagnosed asthma. METHODS: 381 children (122 females, mean age 11.6 years) were consecutively visited and had a new asthma diagnosis. In addition, Spirometry, type-2 phenotyping, asthma control assessment, and ACT were performed. RESULTS: 72 (18.9%) asthmatic children had impaired FEF(25-75), such as <65% of predicted. Low FEF(25-75) was associated with lower FVC and FEV(1)/FVC values (OR 1.11 and 1.32, respectively). Children with normal FEV(1) but impaired FEF(25-75) had more frequently uncontrolled asthma (15.8% vs. 32.4%) than children with both parameters within the normal range. CONCLUSIONS: FEF(25-75) deserves adequate and careful consideration in children with asthma, and the presence of impaired FEF(25-75) values suggests a more compelling approach. (www.actabiomedica.it

    Biomarkers of immunotherapy response in patients with allergic rhinitis

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    Allergen immunotherapy represents the only disease-modifying therapy available for immunoglobulin E-mediated diseases such as allergic rhinitis and asthma. Allergen immunotherapy induces allergen tolerance by interfering with the immune-pathogenic mechanisms of the allergic response and is potentially able to provide long-term relief of symptoms of allergic rhinitis and asthma and alter the natural course of allergic diseases. Areas covered: Since allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is actually considered an individualized treatment on patient's clinical and immunological profile, the identification of specific biomarkers, which may guide diagnosis, management, and predict response to AIT treatment in allergic rhinitis (AR) patients, is essential and is currently an active field of research. Expert commentary: The identification and validation of biomarkers of successful AIT for AR is an urgent need to definitively establish the role of AIT as a therapeutic tool of personalized medicine

    An updated reappraisal of dupilumab in children and adolescents with moderate–severe atopic dermatitis

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    : Atopic dermatitis (AD) is still a demanding challenge in clinical practice. Type 2 inflammation is the most common inflammatory pathway in children and adolescents with AD. Anti-inflammatory drugs, mainly corticosteroids (CS) and immunomodulant agents are the primary therapeutic approach to dampening type 2 inflammation. However, AD patients may require long-term high CS doses or drug combinations with possibly significant adverse effects to achieve and maintain disease control. In this regard, the advent of biologics constituted a breakthrough in managing this condition. Dupilumab is a monoclonal antibody directed against the IL-4 receptor α-subunit (IL-4Rα), antagonizing both IL-4 and IL-13 and is approved for pediatric severe AD. This review presents and discusses the most recent published studies on dupilumab in children and adolescents with AD. There is convincing evidence that dupilumab is safe and effective in managing AD. It can reduce skin lesions and associated itching, reduce the need for additional medications, and improve disease control and quality of life. However, a thorough diagnostic pathway is mandatory, especially considering the different AD phenotypes. The ideal eligible candidate is a child or adolescent with AD requiring systemic treatment because of severe clinical manifestations and impaired quality of life
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