Pragmatic randomized controlled trial of a structured allergy intervention for adults with asthma and rhinitis in general practice

BACKGROUND

It is widely believed that in patients with allergic rhinitis and asthma, avoidance of specific triggers can help improve symptom control and reduce need for medication. Whilst most patients with asthma or rhinitis are sensitized to airborne allergens, primary care diagnostic and management decisions are often made without either obtaining a detailed history of the patient's allergic triggers or performing skin prick tests. Thus, management decisions are empirical and allergen avoidance advice is either not given or, if given, not tailored to the patient's sensitivities.

METHOD

To ascertain whether allergy assessment and tailored advice in general practice for patients with asthma and rhinitis enhance well-being, we conducted a pragmatic, open, randomized controlled trial of allergy intervention (structured allergy history and skin prick testing and appropriate advice on allergy avoidance) versus usual care in adult patients with a working diagnosis of asthma and/or rhino-conjunctivitis. Outcomes were assessed after 12 months by an observer who was blinded to allocation. The main outcome measures were asthma and rhinitis symptoms, disease-specific health-related quality of life, generic quality of life and lung function.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in baseline demographics or disease characteristics between patients assigned to immediate or delayed skin prick testing. No significant differences were observed between groups for any measures of symptoms, quality of life or lung function at 12 months (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Amongst adults with known asthma and/or rhinitis in primary care, taking a structured allergy history with skin prick tests and giving tailored advice on allergy avoidance made no difference to their symptoms, quality of life or lung function as measured twelve months later.

Supraspinal stimulation for treatment of refractory pain

Refractory pain syndromes often have far reaching effects and are quite a challenge for primary care providers and specialists alike to treat. With the help of site-specific neuromodulation and appropriate patient selection these difficult to treat pain syndromes may be managed. In this article, we focus on supraspinal stimulation (SSS) for treatment of intractable pain and discuss off-label uses of deep brain stimulation (DBS) and motor cortex stimulation (MCS) in context to emerging indications in neuromodulation. Consideration for neuromodulatory treatment begins with rigorous patient selection based on exhaustive conservative management, elimination of secondary gains, and a proper psychology evaluation. Trial stimulation prior to DBS is nearly always performed while trial stimulation prior to MCS surgery is symptom dependent. Overall, a review of the literature demonstrates that DBS should be considered for refractory conditions including nociceptive/neuropathic pain, phantom limb pain, and chronic cluster headache (CCH). MCS should be considered primarily for trigeminal neuropathic pain (TNP) and central pain. DBS outcome studies for post-stroke pain as well as MCS studies for complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) show more modest results and are also discussed in detail.

Opt-out testing for HIV: perspectives from a high prevalence community in south-east England, UK

Peoples' perspectives and attitudes towards being offered opt-out HIV testing were explored in a geographical area of high HIV prevalence. Users (n = 31) of sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing services took part in community focus groups in the south-east of England, UK. There was broad support for opt-out HIV testing based on public health and individual health benefits. For this sample, opt-out HIV testing when registering with a general practice surgery and on elective or emergency admission to a general hospital was acceptable, although there were concerns about the rigour of informed consent. Heterosexual participants' criticism of people from higher prevalence groups for HIV declining tests, while maintaining their own right to opt-out, suggested that attitudes towards testing may be influenced by levels of perceived risk. Innovations in HIV testing policies to increase testing rates will benefit from an acknowledgement of the different meanings that testing has.

Improving allergy management in the primary care network--a holistic approach

The incidence, prevalence and costs of allergy have increased substantially in recent decades in many parts of Europe. The dominant model of allergy care within Europe is at the moment specialist-based. This model will become unsustainable and undeliverable with increasing disease prevalence. One solution to increase provision of allergy services is to diversify the providers. A new model for the provision of allergy care in the community with the general practitioner at the forefront is proposed. Pre- and postgraduate allergy education and training, implementation of pathways of care, allergy specialization and political will to generate resources and support are essential to achieve this new model. In parallel the holistic view of allergic diseases should be maintained, including assessment of severity and risk, psychological factors and health-care related costs in the context of the patient-centered decision making process.

Small intestinal angiosarcoma masquerading as an appendiceal abscess

Angiosarcomas of the small intestine are rare and present non-specifically. They usually manifest with abdominal discomfort, altered bowel habits, anaemia and gastrointestinal bleeding. Diagnosis is often challenging and occurs at an advanced tumour stage. We describe a case of a terminal ileum angiosarcoma masquerading as an appendiceal abscess, and discuss salient clinicopathological features in diagnosing and managing this disease.