D-dimer concentrations in acute urticaria in children

Introduction: Urticaria is a clinical entity presenting as wheals, angioedema, or both simul-taneously. Elevated D-dimer levels were reported in the course of chronic spontaneous urticaria. Data regarding D-dimer levels in acute urticaria in children are limited. Objectives: To assess potential associations between duration of glucocorticosteroid (GCS) therapy and D-dimer concentrations in children with acute urticaria. Patients, materials, and methods: Hospital records of 106 children (59 females), aged 5.57 ± 4.91 years, hospitalized in 2014–2018 were analyzed retrospectively. The study group consisted of pediatric patients admitted to the hospital due to severe acute urticaria resistant …

The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the management and course of chronic urticaria

Introduction: the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically disrupts health care around the globe. The impact of the pandemic on chronic urticaria (CU) and its management are largely unknown. Aim: to understand how CU patients are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic; how specialists alter CU patient management; and the course of CU in patients with COVID-19. Materials and methods: our cross-sectional, international, questionnaire-based, multicenter UCARE COVID-CU study assessed the impact of the pandemic on patient consultations, remote treatment, changes in medications, and clinical consequences. Results: the COVID-19 pandemic severely impairs CU patient care, with less than 50% of the weekly numbers o…

Does angioedema influence the quality of life in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria?

The EAACI/GA2LEN/EDF/WAO Guideline for the definition, classification, diagnosis, and management of urticaria: the 2013 revision and update

This guideline is the result of a systematic literature review using the 'Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation' (GRADE) methodology and a structured consensus conference held on 28 and 29 November 2012, in Berlin. It is a joint initiative of the Dermatology Section of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), the EU-funded network of excellence, the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA(2)LEN), the European Dermatology Forum (EDF), and the World Allergy Organization (WAO) with the participation of delegates of 21 national and international societies. Urticaria is a frequent, mast cell-driven disease, presenting with wheals, angioe…

Early and Longitudinal Humoral Response to the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA BNT162b2 Vaccine in Healthcare Workers: Significance of BMI, Adipose Tissue and Muscle Mass on Long-Lasting Post-Vaccinal Immunity

Background: This study aimed to investigate the early and longitudinal humoral response in Healthcare Workers (HCWs) after two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine and to assess the association between metabolic and anthropometric parameters and the humoral response after vaccination. Methods: The study included 243 fully vaccinated HCWs: 25.50% previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 (with prior history of COVID-19—PH) and 74.40%—uninfected, seronegative before the first vaccination (with no prior history of COVID-19—NPH). IgG antibodies were measured, and sera were collected: prior to the vaccination, 21 days after the first dose, and 14 days and 8 months after the second dose. Res…

Chronic Urticaria—Pathogenesis, Diagnostics, Therapy and Influence of Coexisting Angioedema

Urticaria is one of the most frequent dermatological diseases and it usually occurs in paroxysmal, recurrent form [...]

The Antibody Response to the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 Booster in Healthcare Workers: Association between the IgG Antibody Titers and Anthropometric and Body Composition Parameters

Background: Research shows that in most people, two-dose vaccination helps to shape the humoral response to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Further studies are required to learn about the vaccine’s effectiveness after boosting. Methods: We conducted a prospective study among 103 healthcare workers (HCWs) from a regional multi-specialty hospital vaccinated with three doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine. We compared their immunoglobulin G (IgG) titers 14 days after the second dose with those 21 days after the booster. We also compared their anthropometric and body composition parameters with IgG concentrations at the same time points. Results: Twenty-one days aft…

Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy is Associated With Diabetic Kidney Disease and Cardiovascular Disease:The Silesia Diabetes-Heart Project

Microvascular complications of diabetes seem to be clustered and put patients at higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). This was a questionnaire-based study designed to screen for the presence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), defined as the score in the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI) above 2, and to evaluate its association with other complication of diabetes, including CVD. There were 184 patients included into the study. The prevalence of DPN in the study group was 37.5%. The regression model analysis revealed that the presence of DPN was significantly associated with the presence of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) (P = 0.0034;) and patient's age (P…

Szczepienie przeciw COVID-19 przy podejrzeniu anafilaksji po pierwszej dawce szczepionki

Wraz z rosnącą liczbą wykonanych szczepień przeciwko COVID-19 (p/COVID-19) wzrasta także liczba zgłaszanych reakcji o różnym obrazie klinicznym po podaniu szczepionki. Mimo że reakcje te występują stosunkowo rzadko i nie zawsze mają charakter alergiczny, to budzą lęk. Szczególnie pacjenci, którzy doznali działań niepożądanych szczepienia, często nie są kwalifikowani do podania kolejnych dawek tym samym preparatem. Rozpoznanie ciężkiej reakcji anafilaktycznej po podaniu szczepionki mRNA i/lub uczulenie na jej składniki są przeciwwskazaniami do szczepienia preparatem mRNA p/COVID-19.
 Prezentowany przypadek pacjentki przedstawia problem prawidłowej kwalifikacji reakcji, które miały miejs…

Relationship between quality of life and anxiety aspects in chronic spontaneous urticaria

Introduction: Clinical experience indicates the role of the psychological component in chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). The CSU can lead to psychological disturbances. This phenomenon results in a possible quality of life impairment among CSU patients. Aim: To analyse in detail the quality of life parameters and anxiety aspects in relation to CSU duration and symptom intensity. Material and methods: The patient sample was composed of 67 CSU subjects. For the quality of life and mental status assessment, all subjects were questionnaired with CU-Q2 oL and State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). In the control group, 42 healthy volunteers were enrolled to fill in the STAI questionnaire. …

Methods report on the development of the 2013 revision and update of the EAACI/GA2 LEN/EDF/WAO guideline for the definition, classification, diagnosis, and management of urticaria

GA2LEN EAACI This methods report describes the process of guideline development in detail. It is the result of a systematic literature review using the 'Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation' (GRADE) methodology and a structured consensus conference held on 28 and 29 November 2012, in Berlin. It is a joint initiative of the Dermatology Section of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), the EU-funded network of excellence, the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA(2)LEN), the European Dermatology Forum (EDF), and the World Allergy Organization (WAO) with the participation of delegates of 21 national and international societies. Th…

The international EAACI/GA²LEN/EuroGuiDerm/APAAACI guideline for the definition, classification, diagnosis, and management of urticaria

This update and revision of the international guideline for urticaria was developed following the methods recommended by Cochrane and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) working group. It is a joint initiative of the Dermatology Section of the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GALEN) and its Urticaria and Angioedema Centers of Reference and Excellence (UCAREs and ACAREs), the European Dermatology Forum (EDF; EuroGuiDerm), and the Asia Pacific Association of Allergy, Asthma and Clinical Immunology with the participation of 64 delegates of 50 national and international soci…

The Role of Interleukin 10 and 18 in Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria Pathogenesis in the Context of Angioedema Coexistence

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is defined using clinical symptoms as spontaneous occurrence of itchy wheals and/or angioedema for at least 6 weeks. Angioedema is underdiagnosed in CSU patients, and its presence has significant negative impact on health-related quality of life, daily activities, health care resource utilization, and work. Various cytokines have been found to be involved in pathogenesis of CSU. To study levels of interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-18 in CSU patients and to look for the differences in CSU subgroups divided with regard to angioedema reoccurrence, we included consecutive CSU patients into the study. To assess disease activity, urticaria activity score was used. In …

Exhaled Nitric Oxide Level in Pharynx Angioedema.

Airway inflammation is related to increased nitric oxide production. It can be assessed noninvasively with exhaled nitric oxide measurement. As airway inflammation was supposed to be present in chronic urticaria and angioedema patients we hypothesized increased exhaled nitric oxide in this group. Twenty-six symptomatic chronic urticaria patients with an acute episode of pharynx angioedema (17 women and 9 men, median age 35) were included in the study group. None of the patients reported a history of asthma, allergic rhinitis or cigarette smoking. The control group consisted of 29 non-smoking healthy subjects (19 women and 10 men, median age 22) without any history of atopy. Exhaled nitric o…

Chronic spontaneous urticaria activity, impact and control as well as their changes are strongly linked, and these links are not affected by angioedema or comorbid inducible urticaria - Results from the validation of the Polish Urticaria Control Test.

Background Monitoring the effects of treatment on disease activity, impact, and control in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is essential. We do not have enough information on how these features of CSU and its response to treatment are linked. Also, there is no information on how recurrent angioedema or coexisting chronic inducible urticaria (CIndU) affect their relation. The aim of this study was to analyse the link between disease activity, impact, and control in CSU patients and possible effects of recurrent angioedema and comorbid CIndU. Methods To perform these analyses, we validated the Polish version of the Urticaria Control Test (UCT) in 106 chronic urticaria patient…

Type 2 Diabetes as a Factor Modifying the Course and Prognosis of Acute Pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis (AP) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are diseases with steadily increasing incidence. On the one hand, the presence of diabetes increases the risk of AP development; on the other hand, there is a question whether the presence of T2D adversely affects the course and prognosis of AP. In this study we attempted to demonstrate the adverse effect of T2D on the course and prognosis of AP. Materials and methods:The retrospective study analyzed the data of 333 patients with the diagnosis of AP in the Internal Medicine Department of the University Hospital in Opole between 2015 and 2019. The patients were divided into two groups: with T2D and without T2D. The comparative analysis includ…

Interleukin 1 Gene Polymorphisms Presumably Participate in the Pathogenesis of Chronic Spontaneous Autocreative Urticaria

Recent studies underline a potential role of autoimmune and genetic disturbances in this disorder pathogenesis. Variants in genes related to inflammatory processes may possibly predispose to chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) occurrence. The objective of this study was to search for an association of Il1 genes polymorphisms with the pathogenesis of CSU. The examined group consisted of 153 unrelated chronic spontaneous autoreactive urticaria patients. The control group consisted of 104 unrelated healthy volunteers. In all studied subjects, IL1 rs1304037 and rs180058 polymorphisms were examined. The Urticaria Activity Score was used to assess disease intensity. The age of disease onset was a…

From suspicion of angioedema to the diagnosis of lung cancer

Angioedema is a localized and self-limiting oedema of the subcutaneous and submucosal tissue. Case presentation: 73-year-old man was admitted to the Division of Allergology with the diagnosis of angioedema. Detailed physical examination led to the suspicion of superior vena cava syndrome with secondary face swelling. Biopsy revealed metastasis of small cell carcinoma in superclavicular lymph nodes. Conclusions: Facial swelling, especially recurrent and non-inflammatory, is often, but not always caused by angioedema. Insightful differential diagnosis is crucial before making the final one.

Can smoking have a positive effect on the course of certain diseases? A systematic review

Background: Smoking cigarettes is a process during which many harmful substances are introduced into the lungs and the influence of these substances on the human body is not completely known. There are many diseases caused by smoking. Interestingly, there are also reports of positive consequences of smoking on some disorders. Aim of the study: The purpose of this article is to review the literature in regards to the diseases in which cigarettes might have a paradoxically beneficial effect — both on the onset and their course. We also want to focus on the mechanisms responsible for this impact. Material and Methods: Electronic searching of PubMed was performed. We analyzed articles published…

SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Screening in Healthcare Workers in Non-Infectious Hospitals in Two Different Regions of Southern Poland (Upper Silesia and Opole Voivodeships): A Prospective Cohort Study

(1) Background: Detection of asymptomatic or subclinical human coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare workers (HCWs) is crucial for understanding the overall prevalence of the new coronavirus and its infection potential in public (non-infectious) healthcare units with emergency wards. (2) Methods: We evaluated the host serologic responses, measured with semi-quantitative ELISA tests (IgA, IgG, IgM abs) in sera of 90 individuals in Hospital no. 4 in Bytom, 84 HCWs in the University Hospital in Opole and 25 in a Miasteczko Śląskie local surgery. All volunteers had negative RT-PCR test results or had not had the RT-PCR test performed within 30 days before sampling. The ELISA test was m…

Knowledge about diabetes mellitus among Polish medical students

Introduction. Due to high prevalence of diabetes mellitus all over the world it is essential for students who will become doctors of different specialties to possess a basic knowledge of it in this field. This pilot surveybased study was designed to assess diabetes related knowledge among faculty of medicine students from all of the medical universities in Poland. Materials and methods. Students were invited to fulfill the questionnaire during Students’ Diabetology Conference and via the Internet (social media). The survey consisted of questions about respondent’s age and personal history of diabetes and diabetes related knowledge (etiology, symptoms, risk factors, complications and treatme…

Wytyczne EAACI/GA2LEN/EDF/WAO dotyczące definicji, klasyfikacji, rozpoznawania i leczenia pokrzywki: weryfikacja z 2013 roku z poprawkami

Streszczenie Niniejsze wytyczne są wynikiem systematycznego przeglądu piśmiennictwa dokonanego w oparciu o metodologie GRADE ( Grading Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation ) oraz dyskusji przeprowadzonych w trakcie konferencji dotyczącej pokrzywki, ktora odbyla sie 28 i 29 listopada 2012 roku w Berlinie. Konferencja ta byla wspolną inicjatywą kilku organizacji ( Dermatology Section of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology [EAACI], EU-funded network of excellence, Global Allergy and Asthma European Network [GA 2 LEN], European Dermatology Forum [EDF], World Allergy Organization [WAO]) i wzieli w niej udzial delegaci z 21 towarzystw zarowno krajowych, jak i…

Does adiponectin play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic spontaneous urticaria?

Introduction Chronic spontaneous urticaria constitutes an interdisciplinary problem and its pathogenesis is still a subject of debate. Overweight and hyperlipidemia are supposed to be related to chronic spontaneous urticaria. Fatty tissue can be the source of adipokines. Aim of the study To assess the potential role of adiponectin in chronic spontaneous urticaria pathogenesis. Material and methods The study included 52 chronic spontaneous urticaria patients and 43 healthy controls. The patients were divided into two subgroups: patients with wheals only, and patients with urticaria and an accompanying angioedema. The adiponectin concentration was measured in all studied subjects. Results No …

Angioedema Coexisting Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria Negatively Influences Patients’ Sense of Coherence, What Results in Susceptibility to Anxiety Symptoms Occurrence

Background: Angioedema coexisting chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is proved to result in patient anxiety occurrence, but the mechanisms and susceptibility patterns are unknown. Sense of coherence (SOC) is one of methods of coping with stress and is defined as a person’s general orientation toward life. We decided to assess SOC disturbances in CSU patients in the context of possible angioedema association. Methods: The study comprised 71 CSU subjects. To analyze disease activity, the Urticaria Activity Score seven-day assessment questionnaire (UAS7) was used. For anxiety assessment, the STAI questionnaire was used. The SOC-29 questionnaire, consisting of questions related to comprehensib…

Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria and Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus—Does Quality of Life Impairment Always Reflect Health Danger?

Background and aims: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) and diabetes mellitus type 1 (T1DM) may compromise the quality of life (QoL). We decided to compare the QoL of T1DM patients to those suffering from CSU. Materials and methods: Sixty-six patients with well-controlled T1DM (male 52%) in the mean age of (SD) 36.3 (11.09) years and 51 patients with CSU (male 33%) in the mean age of (SD) 35.8 (8.53) years were enrolled in this observational study. All the participants completed a Short-Form 36 (SF-36) QoL. Results: The QoL related to social functioning was significantly worse among CSU patients. There were differences related to gender found in the group of patients with T1DM&mdash