Rhinitis associated with asthma is distinct from rhinitis alone: The ARIA-MeDALL hypothesis

Asthma, rhinitis and atopic dermatitis (AD) are interrelated clinical phenotypes that partly overlap in the human interactome. The concept of "one-airway-one-disease", coined over 20 years ago, is a simplistic approach of the links between upper- and lower-airway allergic diseases. With new data, it is time to reassess the concept. This article reviews (i) the clinical observations that led to Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA), (ii) new insights into polysensitisation and multimorbidity, (iii) advances in mHealth for novel phenotype definition, (iv) confirmation in canonical epidemiologic studies, (v) genomic findings, (vi) treatment approaches and (vii) novel concepts on the onset of rhinitis and multimorbidity. One recent concept, bringing together upper- and lower-airway allergic diseases with skin, gut and neuropsychiatric multimorbidities, is the "Epithelial Barrier Hypothesis". This review determined that the "one-airway-one-disease" concept does not always hold true and that several phenotypes of disease can be defined. These phenotypes include an extreme "allergic" (asthma) phenotype combining asthma, rhinitis and conjunctivitis. Rhinitis alone and rhinitis and asthma multimorbidity represent two distinct diseases with the following differences: (i) genomic and transcriptomic background (Toll-Like Receptors and IL-17 for rhinitis alone as a local disease; IL-33 and IL-5 for allergic and non-allergic multimorbidity as a systemic disease), (ii) allergen sensitisation patterns (mono- or pauci-sensitisation versus polysensitisation), (iii) severity of symptoms and (iv) treatment response. In conclusion, rhinitis alone (local disease) and rhinitis with asthma multimorbidity (systemic disease) should be considered as two distinct diseases, possibly modulated by the microbiome, and may be a model for understanding the epidemics of chronic and auto-immune diseases.

Correction to: Vilnius Declaration on chronic respiratory diseases: multisectoral care pathways embedding guided self-management, mHealth and air pollution in chronic respiratory diseases

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

Correlation between work impairment, scores of rhinitis severity and asthma using the MASK-air® App

BACKGROUND

In allergic rhinitis, a relevant outcome providing information on the effectiveness of interventions is needed. In MASK-air (Mobile Airways Sentinel Network), a visual analogue scale (VAS) for work is used as a relevant outcome. This study aimed to assess the performance of the work VAS work by comparing VAS work with other VAS measurements and symptom-medication scores obtained concurrently.

METHODS

All consecutive MASK-air users in 23 countries from 1 June 2016 to 31 October 2018 were included (14 189 users; 205 904 days). Geolocalized users self-assessed daily symptom control using the touchscreen functionality on their smart phone to click on VAS scores (ranging from 0 to 100) for overall symptoms (global), nose, eyes, asthma and work. Two symptom-medication scores were used: the modified EAACI CSMS score and the MASK control score for rhinitis. To assess data quality, the intra-individual response variability (IRV) index was calculated.

RESULTS

A strong correlation was observed between VAS work and other VAS. The highest levels for correlation with VAS work and variance explained in VAS work were found with VAS global, followed by VAS nose, eye and asthma. In comparison with VAS global, the mCSMS and MASK control score showed a lower correlation with VAS work. Results are unlikely to be explained by a low quality of data arising from repeated VAS measures.

CONCLUSIONS

VAS work correlates with other outcomes (VAS global, nose, eye and asthma) but less well with a symptom-medication score. VAS work should be considered as a potentially useful AR outcome in intervention studies.

Guidance to 2018 good practice: ARIA digitally-enabled, integrated, person-centred care for rhinitis and asthma

Aims

Mobile Airways Sentinel NetworK (MASK) belongs to the Fondation Partenariale MACVIA-LR of Montpellier, France and aims to provide an active and healthy life to rhinitis sufferers and to those with asthma multimorbidity across the life cycle, whatever their gender or socio-economic status, in order to reduce health and social inequities incurred by the disease and to improve the digital transformation of health and care. The ultimate goal is to change the management strategy in chronic diseases.

Methods

MASK implements ICT technologies for individualized and predictive medicine to develop novel care pathways by a multi-disciplinary group centred around the patients.

Stakeholders

Include patients, health care professionals (pharmacists and physicians), authorities, patient’s associations, private and public sectors.

Results

MASK is deployed in 23 countries and 17 languages. 26,000 users have registered.

EU grants (2018)

MASK is participating in EU projects (POLLAR: impact of air POLLution in Asthma and Rhinitis, EIT Health, DigitalHealthEurope, Euriphi and Vigour).

Lessons learnt

(i) Adherence to treatment is the major problem of allergic disease, (ii) Self-management strategies should be considerably expanded (behavioural), (iii) Change management is essential in allergic diseases, (iv) Education strategies should be reconsidered using a patient-centred approach and (v) Lessons learnt for allergic diseases can be expanded to chronic diseases.

Vilnius Declaration on chronic respiratory diseases: multisectoral care pathways embedding guided self-management, mHealth and air pollution in chronic respiratory diseases

Background

Over 1 billion people suffer from chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma, COPD, rhinitis and rhinosinusitis. They cause an enormous burden and are considered as major non-communicable diseases. Many patients are still uncontrolled and the cost of inaction is unacceptable. A meeting was held in Vilnius, Lithuania (March 23, 2018) under the patronage of the Ministry of Health and several scientific societies to propose multisectoral care pathways embedding guided self-management, mHealth and air pollution in selected chronic respiratory diseases (rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, asthma and COPD). The meeting resulted in the Vilnius Declaration that was developed by the participants of the EU Summit on chronic respiratory diseases under the leadership of Euforea.

Conclusion

The Vilnius Declaration represents an important step for the fight against air pollution in chronic respiratory diseases globally and has a clear strategic relevance with regard to the EU Health Strategy as it will bring added value to the existing public health knowledge.

MASK 2017: ARIA digitally-enabled, integrated, person-centred care for rhinitis and asthma multimorbidity using real-world-evidence

mHealth, such as apps running on consumer smart devices is becoming increasingly popular and has the potential to profoundly affect healthcare and health outcomes. However, it may be disruptive and results achieved are not always reaching the goals. Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) has evolved from a guideline using the best evidence-based approach to care pathways suited to real-life using mobile technology in allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma multimorbidity. Patients largely use over-the-counter medications dispensed in pharmacies. Shared decision making centered around the patient and based on self-management should be the norm. Mobile Airways Sentinel networK (MASK), the Phase 3 ARIA initiative, is based on the freely available MASK app (the Allergy Diary, Android and iOS platforms). MASK is available in 16 languages and deployed in 23 countries. The present paper provides an overview of the methods used in MASK and the key results obtained to date. These include a novel phenotypic characterization of the patients, confirmation of the impact of allergic rhinitis on work productivity and treatment patterns in real life. Most patients appear to self-medicate, are often non-adherent and do not follow guidelines. Moreover, the Allergy Diary is able to distinguish between AR medications. The potential usefulness of MASK will be further explored by POLLAR (Impact of Air Pollution on Asthma and Rhinitis), a new Horizon 2020 project using the Allergy Diary.

Treatment of allergic rhinitis using mobile technology with real-world data: The MASK observational pilot study

BACKGROUND

Large observational implementation studies are needed to triangulate the findings from randomized control trials as they reflect "real-world" everyday practice. In a pilot study, we attempted to provide additional and complementary insights on the real-life treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR) using mobile technology.

METHODS

A mobile phone app (Allergy Diary, freely available in Google Play and Apple App stores) collects the data of daily visual analog scales (VAS) for (i) overall allergic symptoms, (ii) nasal, ocular, and asthma symptoms, (iii) work, as well as (iv) medication use using a treatment scroll list including all medications (prescribed and over the counter (OTC)) for rhinitis customized for 15 countries.

RESULTS

A total of 2871 users filled in 17 091 days of VAS in 2015 and 2016. Medications were reported for 9634 days. The assessment of days appeared to be more informative than the course of the treatment as, in real life, patients do not necessarily use treatment on a daily basis; rather, they appear to increase treatment use with the loss of symptom control. The Allergy Diary allowed differentiation between treatments within or between classes (intranasal corticosteroid use containing medications and oral H1-antihistamines). The control of days differed between no [best control], single, or multiple treatments (worst control).

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms the usefulness of the Allergy Diary in accessing and assessing everyday use and practice in AR. This pilot observational study uses a very simple assessment (VAS) on a mobile phone, shows novel findings, and generates new hypotheses.

Daily allergic multimorbidity in rhinitis using mobile technology: A novel concept of the MASK study

BACKGROUND

Multimorbidity in allergic airway diseases is well known, but no data exist about the daily dynamics of symptoms and their impact on work. To better understand this, we aimed to assess the presence and control of daily allergic multimorbidity (asthma, conjunctivitis, rhinitis) and its impact on work productivity using a mobile technology, the Allergy Diary.

METHODS

We undertook a 1-year prospective observational study in which 4 210 users and 32 585 days were monitored in 19 countries. Five visual analogue scales (VAS) assessed the daily burden of the disease (i.e., global evaluation, nose, eyes, asthma and work). Visual analogue scale levels <20/100 were categorized as "Low" burden and VAS levels ≥50/100 as "High" burden.

RESULTS

Visual analogue scales global measured levels assessing the global control of the allergic disease were significantly associated with allergic multimorbidity. Eight hypothesis-driven patterns were defined based on "Low" and "High" VAS levels. There were <0.2% days of Rhinitis Low and Asthma High or Conjunctivitis High patterns. There were 5.9% days with a Rhinitis High-Asthma Low pattern. There were 1.7% days with a Rhinitis High-Asthma High-Conjunctivitis Low pattern. A novel Rhinitis High-Asthma High-Conjunctivitis High pattern was identified in 2.9% days and had the greatest impact on uncontrolled VAS global measured and impaired work productivity. Work productivity was significantly correlated with VAS global measured levels.

CONCLUSIONS

In a novel approach examining daily symptoms with mobile technology, we found considerable intra-individual variability of allergic multimorbidity including a previously unrecognized extreme pattern of uncontrolled multimorbidity.

Geolocation with respect to personal privacy for the Allergy Diary app - a MASK study

Background

Collecting data on the localization of users is a key issue for the MASK (Mobile Airways Sentinel networK: the Allergy Diary) App. Data anonymization is a method of sanitization for privacy. The European Commission's Article 29 Working Party stated that geolocation information is personal data.To assess geolocation using the MASK method and to compare two anonymization methods in the MASK database to find an optimal privacy method.

Methods

Geolocation was studied for all people who used the Allergy Diary App from December 2015 to November 2017 and who reported medical outcomes. Two different anonymization methods have been evaluated: Noise addition (randomization) and k-anonymity (generalization).

Results

Ninety-three thousand one hundred and sixteen days of VAS were collected from 8535 users and 54,500 (58.5%) were geolocalized, corresponding to 5428 users. Noise addition was found to be less accurate than k-anonymity using MASK data to protect the users' life privacy.

Discussion

k-anonymity is an acceptable method for the anonymization of MASK data and results can be used for other databases.

Pregnancy following Renal Transplantation

A series of 7 renal transplant patients with 9 pregnancies is reported. A spontaneous abortion at 10 weeks was the only major problem. Of the other 8 pregnancies, 6 were delivered per vaginam and 2 by elective caesarean section, all after 34 weeks. The birthweights were slightly under the mean for the patients’ age but had been made up to normal by three months. Only one rejection episode occurred during pregnancy. Mild rejection episodes occurred in 4 patients within two months following delivery.

The Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) score of allergic rhinitis using mobile technology correlates with quality of life: The MASK study

Mobile technology has been used to appraise allergic rhinitis control, but more data are needed. To better assess the importance of mobile technologies in rhinitis control, the ARIA (Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma) score ranging from 0 to 4 of the Allergy Diary was compared with EQ-5D (EuroQuol) and WPAI-AS (Work Productivity and Activity Impairment in allergy) in 1288 users in 18 countries. This study showed that quality-of-life data (EQ-5D visual analogue scale and WPA-IS Question 9) are similar in users without rhinitis and in those with mild rhinitis (scores 0-2). Users with a score of 3 or 4 had a significant impairment in quality-of-life questionnaires.

CHRODIS criteria applied to the MASK (MACVIA-ARIA Sentinel NetworK) Good Practice in allergic rhinitis: a SUNFRAIL report

A Good Practice is a practice that works well, produces good results, and is recommended as a model. MACVIA-ARIA Sentinel Network (MASK), the new Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) initiative, is an example of a Good Practice focusing on the implementation of multi-sectoral care pathways using emerging technologies with real life data in rhinitis and asthma multi-morbidity. The European Union Joint Action on Chronic Diseases and Promoting Healthy Ageing across the Life Cycle (JA-CHRODIS) has developed a checklist of 28 items for the evaluation of Good Practices. SUNFRAIL (Reference Sites Network for Prevention and Care of Frailty and Chronic Conditions in community dwelling persons of EU Countries), a European Union project, assessed whether MASK is in line with the 28 items of JA-CHRODIS. A short summary was proposed for each item and 18 experts, all members of ARIA and SUNFRAIL from 12 countries, assessed the 28 items using a Survey Monkey-based questionnaire. A visual analogue scale (VAS) from 0 (strongly disagree) to 100 (strongly agree) was used. Agreement equal or over 75% was observed for 14 items (50%). MASK is following the JA-CHRODIS recommendations for the evaluation of Good Practices.

Work productivity in rhinitis using cell phones: The MASK pilot study

Allergic rhinitis often impairs social life and performance. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to use cell phone data to assess the impact on work productivity of uncontrolled rhinitis assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS). A mobile phone app (Allergy Diary, Google Play Store and Apple App Store) collects data from daily visual analogue scales (VAS) for overall allergic symptoms (VAS-global measured), nasal (VAS-nasal), ocular (VAS-ocular) and asthma symptoms (VAS-asthma) as well as work (VAS-work). A combined nasal-ocular score is calculated. The Allergy Diary is available in 21 countries. The app includes the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Allergic Specific Questionnaire (WPAI:AS) in six EU countries. All consecutive users who completed the VAS-work from 1 June to 31 October 2016 were included in the study. A total of 1136 users filled in 5818 days of VAS-work. Symptoms of allergic rhinitis were controlled (VAS-global <20) in approximately 60% of the days. In users with uncontrolled rhinitis, approximately 90% had some work impairment and over 50% had severe work impairment (VAS-work >50). There was a significant correlation between VAS-global calculated and VAS-work (Rho=0.83, P<0.00001, Spearman's rank test). In 144 users, there was a significant correlation between VAS-work and WPAI:AS (Rho=0.53, P<0.0001). This pilot study provides not only proof-of-concept data on the work impairment collected with the app but also data on the app itself, especially the distribution of responses for the VAS. This supports the interpretation that persons with rhinitis report both the presence and the absence of symptoms.

Transfer of innovation on allergic rhinitis and asthma multimorbidity in the elderly (MACVIA-ARIA) - EIP on AHA Twinning Reference Site (GARD research demonstration project)

The overarching goals of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing (EIP on AHA) are to enable European citizens to lead healthy, active and independent lives whilst ageing. The EIP on AHA includes 74 Reference Sites. The aim of this study was to transfer innovation from an app developed by the MACVIA-France EIP on AHA reference site (Allergy Diary) to other reference sites. The phenotypic characteristics of rhinitis and asthma multimorbidity in adults and the elderly will be compared using validated information and communication technology (ICT) tools (i.e. the Allergy Diary and CARAT: Control of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Test) in 22 Reference Sites or regions across Europe. This will improve the understanding, assessment of burden, diagnosis and management of rhinitis in the elderly by comparison with an adult population. Specific objectives will be: (i) to assess the percentage of adults and elderly who are able to use the Allergy Diary, (ii) to study the phenotypic characteristics and treatment over a 1-year period of rhinitis and asthma multimorbidity at baseline (cross-sectional study) and (iii) to follow-up using visual analogue scale (VAS). This part of the study may provide some insight into the differences between the elderly and adults in terms of response to treatment and practice. Finally (iv) work productivity will be examined in adults.

Pilot study of mobile phone technology in allergic rhinitis in European countries: the MASK-rhinitis study

BACKGROUND

The use of Apps running on smartphones and tablets profoundly affects medicine. The MASK-rhinitis (MACVIA-ARIA Sentinel NetworK for allergic rhinitis) App (Allergy Diary) assesses allergic rhinitis symptoms, disease control and impact on patients' lives. It is freely available in 20 countries (iOS and Android platforms).

AIMS

To assess in a pilot study whether (i) Allergy Diary users were able to properly provide baseline characteristics (ii) simple phenotypic characteristics based upon data captured by the Allergy Diary could be identified and (iii) information gathered by this study could suggest novel research questions.

METHODS

The Allergy Diary users were classified into six groups according to the baseline data that they entered into the App: (i) asymptomatic; (ii) nasal symptoms excluding rhinorrhea; (iii) rhinorrhea; (iv) rhinorrhea plus 1-2 nasal/ocular symptoms; (v) rhinorrhea plus ≥3 nasal/ocular symptoms; and (vi) rhinorrhea plus all nasal/ocular symptoms.

RESULTS

By 1 June 2016, 3260 users had registered with the Allergy Diary and 2710 had completed the baseline questionnaire. Troublesome symptoms were found mainly in the users with the most symptoms. Around 50% of users with troublesome rhinitis and/or ocular symptoms suffered work impairment. Sleep was impaired by troublesome symptoms and nasal obstruction.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first App (iOS and Android) to have tested for allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis. A simple questionnaire administered by cell phones enables the identification of phenotypic differences between a priori defined rhinitis groups. The results suggest novel concepts and research questions in allergic rhinitis that may not be identified using classical methods.

Building Bridges for Innovation in Ageing: Synergies between Action Groups of the EIP on AHA

The Strategic Implementation Plan of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing (EIP on AHA) proposed six Action Groups. After almost three years of activity, many achievements have been obtained through commitments or collaborative work of the Action Groups. However, they have often worked in silos and, consequently, synergies between Action Groups have been proposed to strengthen the triple win of the EIP on AHA. The paper presents the methodology and current status of the Task Force on EIP on AHA synergies. Synergies are in line with the Action Groups' new Renovated Action Plan (2016-2018) to ensure that their future objectives are coherent and fully connected. The outcomes and impact of synergies are using the Monitoring and Assessment Framework for the EIP on AHA (MAFEIP). Eight proposals for synergies have been approved by the Task Force: Five cross-cutting synergies which can be used for all current and future synergies as they consider overarching domains (appropriate polypharmacy, citizen empowerment, teaching and coaching on AHA, deployment of synergies to EU regions, Responsible Research and Innovation), and three cross-cutting synergies focussing on current Action Group activities (falls, frailty, integrated care and chronic respiratory diseases).

ARIA 2016: Care pathways implementing emerging technologies for predictive medicine in rhinitis and asthma across the life cycle

The Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) initiative commenced during a World Health Organization workshop in 1999. The initial goals were (1) to propose a new allergic rhinitis classification, (2) to promote the concept of multi-morbidity in asthma and rhinitis and (3) to develop guidelines with all stakeholders that could be used globally for all countries and populations. ARIA—disseminated and implemented in over 70 countries globally—is now focusing on the implementation of emerging technologies for individualized and predictive medicine. MASK [MACVIA (Contre les Maladies Chroniques pour un Vieillissement Actif)-ARIA Sentinel NetworK] uses mobile technology to develop care pathways for the management of rhinitis and asthma by a multi-disciplinary group and by patients themselves. An app (Android and iOS) is available in 20 countries and 15 languages. It uses a visual analogue scale to assess symptom control and work productivity as well as a clinical decision support system. It is associated with an inter-operable tablet for physicians and other health care professionals. The scaling up strategy uses the recommendations of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing. The aim of the novel ARIA approach is to provide an active and healthy life to rhinitis sufferers, whatever their age, sex or socio-economic status, in order to reduce health and social inequalities incurred by the disease.

Allergy immunotherapy across the life cycle to promote active and healthy ageing: from research to policies: An AIRWAYS Integrated Care Pathways (ICPs) programme item (Action Plan B3 of the European Innovation Partnership on active and healthy ageing) and the Global Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases (GARD), a World Health Organization GARD research demonstration project

Allergic diseases often occur early in life and persist throughout life. This life-course perspective should be considered in allergen immunotherapy. In particular it is essential to understand whether this al treatment may be used in old age adults. The current paper was developed by a working group of AIRWAYS integrated care pathways for airways diseases, the model of chronic respiratory diseases of the European Innovation Partnership on active and healthy ageing (DG CONNECT and DG Santé). It considered (1) the political background, (2) the rationale for allergen immunotherapy across the life cycle, (3) the unmet needs for the treatment, in particular in preschool children and old age adults, (4) the strategic framework and the practical approach to synergize current initiatives in allergen immunotherapy, its mechanisms and the concept of active and healthy ageing.

Scaling up strategies of the chronic respiratory disease programme of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing (Action Plan B3: Area 5)

Action Plan B3 of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing (EIP on AHA) focuses on the integrated care of chronic diseases. Area 5 (Care Pathways) was initiated using chronic respiratory diseases as a model. The chronic respiratory disease action plan includes (1) AIRWAYS integrated care pathways (ICPs), (2) the joint initiative between the Reference site MACVIA-LR (Contre les MAladies Chroniques pour un VIeillissement Actif) and ARIA (Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma), (3) Commitments for Action to the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing and the AIRWAYS ICPs network. It is deployed in collaboration with the World Health Organization Global Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases (GARD). The European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing has proposed a 5-step framework for developing an individual scaling up strategy: (1) what to scale up: (1-a) databases of good practices, (1-b) assessment of viability of the scaling up of good practices, (1-c) classification of good practices for local replication and (2) how to scale up: (2-a) facilitating partnerships for scaling up, (2-b) implementation of key success factors and lessons learnt, including emerging technologies for individualised and predictive medicine. This strategy has already been applied to the chronic respiratory disease action plan of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing.

Operational Definition of Active and Healthy Ageing (AHA): A Conceptual Framework

Health is a multi-dimensional concept, capturing how people feel and function. The broad concept of Active and Healthy Ageing was proposed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as the process of optimizing opportunities for health to enhance quality of life as people age. It applies to both individuals and population groups. A universal Active and Healthy Ageing definition is not available and it may differ depending on the purpose of the definition and/or the questions raised. While the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing (EIP on AHA) has had a major impact, a definition of Active and Healthy Ageing is urgently needed. A meeting was organised in Montpellier, France, October 20-21, 2014 as the annual conference of the EIP on AHA Reference Site MACVIA-LR (Contre les Maladies Chroniques pour un Vieillissement Actif en Languedoc Roussillon) to propose an operational definition of Active and Healthy Ageing including tools that may be used for this. The current paper describes the rationale and the process by which the aims of the meeting will be reached.

MACVIA-ARIA Sentinel NetworK for allergic rhinitis (MASK-rhinitis): the new generation guideline implementation

Several unmet needs have been identified in allergic rhinitis: identification of the time of onset of the pollen season, optimal control of rhinitis and comorbidities, patient stratification, multidisciplinary team for integrated care pathways, innovation in clinical trials and, above all, patient empowerment. MASK-rhinitis (MACVIA-ARIA Sentinel NetworK for allergic rhinitis) is a simple system centred around the patient which was devised to fill many of these gaps using Information and Communications Technology (ICT) tools and a clinical decision support system (CDSS) based on the most widely used guideline in allergic rhinitis and its asthma comorbidity (ARIA 2015 revision). It is one of the implementation systems of Action Plan B3 of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing (EIP on AHA). Three tools are used for the electronic monitoring of allergic diseases: a cell phone-based daily visual analogue scale (VAS) assessment of disease control, CARAT (Control of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Test) and e-Allergy screening (premedical system of early diagnosis of allergy and asthma based on online tools). These tools are combined with a clinical decision support system (CDSS) and are available in many languages. An e-CRF and an e-learning tool complete MASK. MASK is flexible and other tools can be added. It appears to be an advanced, global and integrated ICT answer for many unmet needs in allergic diseases which will improve policies and standards.

Integrated care pathways for airway diseases (AIRWAYS-ICPs)

The objective of Integrated Care Pathways for Airway Diseases (AIRWAYS-ICPs) is to launch a collaboration to develop multi-sectoral care pathways for chronic respiratory diseases in European countries and regions. AIRWAYS-ICPs has strategic relevance to the European Union Health Strategy and will add value to existing public health knowledge by: 1) proposing a common framework of care pathways for chronic respiratory diseases, which will facilitate comparability and trans-national initiatives; 2) informing cost-effective policy development, strengthening in particular those on smoking and environmental exposure; 3) aiding risk stratification in chronic disease patients, using a common strategy; 4) having a significant impact on the health of citizens in the short term (reduction of morbidity, improvement of education in children and of work in adults) and in the long-term (healthy ageing); 5) proposing a common simulation tool to assist physicians; and 6) ultimately reducing the healthcare burden (emergency visits, avoidable hospitalisations, disability and costs) while improving quality of life. In the longer term, the incidence of disease may be reduced by innovative prevention strategies. AIRWAYSICPs was initiated by Area 5 of the Action Plan B3 of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing. All stakeholders are involved (health and social care, patients, and policy makers).

Evaluation of sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, and sE-Selectin levels in patients with metastatic breast cancer receiving high-dose chemotherapy

Soluble forms of some cell adhesion molecules (CAM), sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, and sE-selectin, are elevated in the sera and plasma of patients with inflammation, arthritis, diabetes, and cancer. Increased levels of these soluble molecules in patients with cancer have been shown to correlate with disease progression and survival. This suggests that increased expression of the soluble forms of CAMs may play an important role in cancer cell growth and metastasis and may be prognostic and/or predictive of malignant disease. In this retrospective study, we assessed the clinical significance of sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, and sE-selectin in 95 patients with metastatic breast cancer enrolled in clinical trials of high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). The significance of soluble HER-2 (sHER-2) and sFAS status, determined in previous studies for this group of patients, was also included in this analysis. Univariate analysis showed that sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, sFas, sHER-2 positive status, and the presence of liver metastases were significant prognostic factors for both progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in the total patient group. In multivariable analysis, HER-2 and sFAS were shown to be independent prognostic factors for PFS and OS. Within the various treatment groups examined, sICAM-1 was a prognostic factor for clinical outcome for patients with metastatic breast cancer enrolled in trials with cyclophosphamide- and carboplatin-based or vinblastine-based HDC, but not in trials with paclitaxeland cyclophosphamide-based HDC.

The role of depletion of dimethyl sulfoxide before autografting: on hematologic recovery, side effects, and toxicity

Cryopreservation of stem cells after collection from peripheral blood or bone marrow for autologous transplantation necessitates protection with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Unfortunately, DMSO, when infused with the thawed cell suspension, may induce serious complications and side effects. To assess whether depletion of DMSO before autografting affects safety and efficacy, 56 consenting consecutive patients treated with high-dose chemotherapy and autologous blood stem cell transplantation were assigned to obtain either an untreated or DMSO-depleted autograft. On the day of transplantation, the cryopreserved cells were thawed and infused to the patient either immediately or after washing 3 times in normal saline supplemented with 6% anticoagulant citrate dextrose solution. Cell count with viability, clonogenic assay, and phenotyping were performed before and after thawing and after washing. Hematologic recovery, side effects, and complications were recorded. The in vitro and clinical data on 56 patients show that the depletion of DMSO in vitro before autografting does not induce a significant loss of cell number, viability, colony-forming unit-granulocyte-macrophage activity, or number of CD34(+) cells. Furthermore, it leads to a safe and sustained engraftment. The complications and side effects, as recorded by continuous monitoring, were substantially less; however, the procedure takes 3 to 4 hours of laboratory work per patient.

Soluble Fas (CD95) is a prognostic factor in patients with metastatic breast cancer undergoing high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation

The Fas/Fas ligand (FasL) system plays an important role in cellular apoptosis and is involved in cancer cell death induced by the immune system and anticancer drugs. Increased serum levels of soluble Fas (sFas) are associated with a number of different disease states and with tumor progression and metastasis in patients. In this study, we examined the plasma levels of sFas in 94 women with metastatic breast cancer undergoing high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) treatment with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) using a quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Thirty-one patients (31/94, 33%) had plasma sFas levels greater than the optimum cut point of 1.90 ng/ml (median 2.47, range 1.98-13.54 ng/ml) and were designated as sFas positive. Sixty-three patients (63/94, 67%) had sFas levels below 1.90 ng/ml (median 1.14, range 0.47-1.89 ng/ml). In univariate analysis, patients with sFas-positive status, HER-2 overexpression, and the presence of liver metastases had a significantly shorter time to disease progression (PFS) and significantly decreased overall survival (OS). Multivariable analysis (Cox proportional hazards model) for PFS determined that sFas status significantly predicted disease progression (p = 0.004) with an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 2.0 (95% CI, 1.3-3.3). HER-2 status and liver metastases were also significant independent predictors of disease progression (p < 0.001) for both. sFas level was also an independent prognostic factor for OS with an adjusted HR of 2.0 (p = 0.006; 95% CI, 1.2-3.4). HER-2 status and liver metastases also remained highly significant independent prognostic factors for OS (HER-2: p < 0.001, HR 2.3, and liver metastases: p = 0.001, HR 2.7). In conclusion, these results suggest that plasma levels of sFas may be a valuable clinical prognostic factor in predicting outcome (PFS and OS) for patients with metastatic breast cancer undergoing HDCT with ASCT.

Circulating cardiac troponin-T in patients before and after renal transplantation

BACKGROUND

The diagnostic and prognostic use of cardiac troponin T (cTnT) in patients with renal failure has been questioned. Raised serum concentrations of cTnT, with no apparent signs of cardiac damage using conventional methods of detection, have been reported. We aimed to relate circulating concentrations of cTnT to improved renal function following renal transplantation over a one-year period.

METHOD

Plasma cTnT was analysed from patients with end stage renal disease before and after transplantation and subsequently at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. Eight patients had diabetes, 14 had hyperlipidaemia, 8 were smokers and 4 were ex-smokers; all were hypersensitive.

RESULTS

At the time of transplantation, 3 of the 32 patients (9.4%) had plasma cTnT concentrations above 0.1 microg/l. In addition to these three patients, five others showed raised cTnT over the one-year period.

CONCLUSIONS

The overall trend in circulating cTnT concentrations did not seem to be affected by improved renal function. However, all of the patients that had raised cTnT concentrations at any stage of the one-year period had explainable pathologies or were exposed to multiple cardiac risk factors.

Cardiac troponin T and creatine kinase MB are not increased in exterior oblique muscle of patients with renal failure

BACKGROUND

Serum cardiac troponin T (cTnT) concentrations may be increased in patients with renal dysfunction without evidence of cardiac damage, as assessed by conventional methods. It has been suggested that these positive measurements result from the expression in skeletal muscle of fetal isoforms of cTnT, which are detected by the cTnT immunoassay.

METHODS

Skeletal muscle (exterior oblique) biopsies were taken from healthy living kidney donors (n = 5) and transplant recipients (n = 19). The amounts of cTnT and creatine kinase (CK) isoenzymes in skeletal muscle of healthy controls were compared with those in patients with renal failure (Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test). cTnT was measured quantitatively by a second-generation assay, with a limit of detection of 1 microg/g of protein, and qualitatively by immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting. CK-MB was measured by quantitative electrophoresis.

RESULTS

Minute quantities of cTnT were detected in 2 of the 5 (40%) control samples and 9 of the 19 (47%) renal failure samples, respectively, at mean concentrations of <5 microg/g of protein for both subject groups. This was <1/6000th that found in heart muscle. There was no significant difference in cTnT or CK-MB content in skeletal muscle between healthy controls and patients with renal failure. Increased serum cTnT did not predict detectable cTnT in skeletal muscle. cTnT was not detected qualitatively by immunoblotting or immunohistochemistry in any skeletal muscle samples.

CONCLUSIONS

Uremia does not affect the content of cTnT or CK-MB in exterior oblique muscle, suggesting that cTnT detected in serum from patients with renal failure does not originate from skeletal muscle.

HER-2 expression is a prognostic factor in patients with metastatic breast cancer treated with a combination of high-dose cyclophosphamide, mitoxantrone, paclitaxel and autologous blood stem cell support

The expression levels of a circulating extracellular domain of HER-2 can be detected in the plasma and serum of patients with metastatic breast cancer using an enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) method. In this study, we evaluated the clinical significance of high and low levels of HER-2 in the plasma of 46 patients with metastatic breast cancer enrolled in a clinical trial of high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) using cyclophosphamide, mitoxantrone, and paclitaxel with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Using 2500 U/ml as the cut-point, 20 patients (46%) had elevated HER-2 levels (HER-2 positive). Our results suggest that patients with metastatic breast cancer and high soluble plasma HER-2 have a significantly poorer overall (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) following high-dose chemotherapy with paclitaxel and ASCT. The median OS of patients with low levels of HER-2 was significantly longer (P < 0.01) than the median OS of patients with high levels of HER-2 (29.8 months vs 15.9 months). PFS was also significantly longer (P < 0.01) for patients who were HER-2-negative, than for patients who were HER-2-positive (13.0 vs 8.6 months). Univariate analysis showed that patients with liver or lung metastases had significantly reduced OS and PFS. Patients with metastases to two or more sites also had a significantly reduced time to disease progression, but not OS. In multivariable analysis, lung metastases contributed along with HER-2-positive status to determine a group of patients with significantly poorer OS. However, HER-2-positive status remained the only independent predictor of PFS.

Pharmacokinetics of mycophenolate mofetil in patients with end-stage renal failure

BACKGROUND

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) acts as a prodrug for the immunosuppressive drug mycophenolic acid (MPA). It is rapidly converted to MPA following oral ingestion. MPA is metabolized to MPA glucuronide (MPAG), which is renally excreted. This study examines the pharmacokinetics of MPA and MPAG in patients with end-stage renal failure who were on hemodialysis (N = 10) or peritoneal dialysis (N = 10) treatment.

METHODS

After an overnight fast, a single oral dose of 1 g MMF was given. Plasma concentrations of MPA and MPAG were measured from 0 (predose) to 36 hours after administration, using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The area under the concentration time curve (AUC) from 0 to 36 hours was calculated using the trapezoidal rule.

RESULTS

Mean (+/- SD) AUC for MPA was 55.7 +/- 32.6 mg/L.h for hemodialysis patients and 44.7 +/- 14.7 mg/L.h for peritoneal dialysis patients, which is similar to expected values for subjects with normal renal function. The mean (+/- SD) maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) for MPA was lower than would be expected for subjects with normal renal function (16.01 +/- 10.61 mg/L for hemodialysis, 11.48 +/- 4.98 mg/L for peritoneal dialysis). MPAG clearance was prolonged with AUC approximately five times what would be expected in subjects with normal renal function (1565 +/- 596 mg/L.h for hemodialysis, 1386 +/- 410 mg/L.h for peritoneal dialysis). There was no significant difference for any of the pharmacokinetic parameters between subjects on hemodialysis and those on peritoneal dialysis. Plasma concentrations of MPA and MPAG did not fall significantly during hemodialysis. No MPA was detectable in hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis fluid, but small amounts of MPAG were detected in hemodialysis fluid in 1 out of 10 subjects and in peritoneal dialysis fluid in 3 out of 10 subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

The accumulation of MPAG may be responsible for the poor gastrointestinal tolerance of this drug in dialysis patients and probably limits the maximum dose of MMF that can be tolerated.

Expression of C-erbB-2/HER-2 in patients with metastatic breast cancer undergoing high-dose chemotherapy and autologous blood stem cell support

C-erbB-2/HER-2 (designated HER-2) is overexpressed in both primary and metastatic breast cancer and predicts poor prognosis. We investigated the expression of HER-2 in patients with metastatic breast cancer undergoing high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) with autologous blood stem cell (ABSC) support and correlated the presence (positive) or absence (negative) of HER-2 overexpression in these patients with response to treatment, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). The level of HER-2 expression was analyzed in 57 patients with metastatic breast cancer undergoing HDCT with ABSC support. Plasma from peripheral blood was taken at three different time points during the course of treatment and was analyzed using an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) to detect circulating levels of the extracellular portion of HER-2. HER-2 levels were elevated (>0.2 U/mg protein) in 27/57 (47.4%) patients at one or more time points during treatment. The level of HER-2 varied during the course of treatment. Following induction chemotherapy (ICT), five patients who were negative initially, showed overexpression of HER-2. Three patients overexpressed HER-2 only after HDCT/ABSC. Response to treatment was similar in patients independent of plasma HER-2 levels. Overexpression of HER-2 was associated with a significantly shorter PFS (P = 0.004, log rank) and OS (P = 0.003, log rank) after HDCT/ABSC. HER-2 overexpression, patient age, estrogen receptor status, progesterone receptor status, and previous hormone treatment were assessed by univariate and multivariate analysis. Univariate analysis determined that only HER-2 overexpression correlated significantly with decreases in progression free survival (P = 0.005, Cox regression). Decreased overall survival correlated significantly with HER-2 overexpression (P = 0.004) and decreased expression of both estrogen receptor (P = 0.032) and progesterone receptor (P = 0.039). In multivariate analysis of these variables, only HER-2 expression levels proved to be of independent statistical significance in predicting outcome for both PFS (P = 0.007) and OS (P = 0.002). These results suggest that overexpression of HER-2, measured by EIA in plasma may predict a shorter PFS and OS in patients with metastatic breast cancer treated with HDCT and ABSC support.

Evaluation of three rapid RNA extraction reagents: relevance for use in RT-PCR's and measurement of low level gene expression in clinical samples

Although peripheral blood and bone marrow are usually readily available from patients, present techniques of RNA extraction are tedious, require millilitres of starting material and removal of red blood cells before RNA purification. Further, successful reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) amplification requires the removal of haemoglobin derivatives which interfere with the PCR process. Recently, one step rapid use reagents have become available, claiming to be useful for obtaining high quality RNA from microlitre quantities of whole blood drawn directly from the patient. Their use to date in clinical samples appears limited with little information in the literature documented. In an attempt to overcome this, we tested the Trizol-LS, RNA-STAT-50 and Ultraspec-3 reagents upon a statistically significant number of clinical isolates of fresh and cryopreserved peripheral blood, bone marrow, blood apheresis products and a breast cancer cell line (MCF7) in order to evaluate whether these methods could be applied to routine laboratory use in an RT-PCR method capable of detecting rare gene expression. Our findings showed that there was some variation in the quality of RNA extracted which was indicated by absorbance spectrophotometry at 260 and 280 nm. 1% agarose gel electrophoresis showed that each of these methods could yield total RNA capable of generating the signature 18S and 28S rRNA bands. Using the Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric anova test combined with Dunn's multiple comparison test, the only statistically significant difference (p<0.05) indicated that Trizol-LS was more reliable than RNA-STAT-50-LS and Ultraspec-3 at extracting RNA from fresh peripheral blood. RNA extracted with the Trizol-LS and RNA STAT-50 reagents was successfully amplified in a multiplex RT-PCR reaction for detection of the multi-drug resistance related genes MDR1, the multi-drug resistance related protein (MRP) and topoisomerase IIalpha. Low level MDR1 gene expression could be detected in frozen whole blood. However, PCR products were only seen when the anti-coagulant heparin was removed from all samples prior to cDNA production. RT-PCR amplification was not 100% successful with RNA extracted with Ultraspec-3 reagent. In conclusion, we found that the RNA extracted from whole blood with the Trizol-LS and the RNA-STAT-50 are suitable for use in clinically relevant molecular biology protocols that analyze rare event genes without further purification. Our results indicated that the Trizol-LS reagent was generally more consistent in obtaining a pure and sufficient quantity of RNA from patient material as shown by the mean result of purity and quantity in comparison to either Ultraspec-3 or RNA-STAT-50-LS reagents. Ultraspec-3 is not easily suited for direct use with whole blood products.

Prevention of hyperacute rejection by removal of antibodies to HLA immediately before renal transplantation

BACKGROUND

Many patients with circulating antibodies to human leucocyte antigens (anti-HLA) are highly sensitised against renal transplantation and are liable to immediate graft loss through hyperacute rejection. Our aim was to find out whether removal of anti-HLA immediately before renal transplantation prevented hyperacute graft rejection.

METHODS

13 highly sensitised patients underwent cadaveric renal transplants immediately after immunoadsorption (IA) treatment to remove anti-HLA. Before IA, 12 patients had a positive crossmatch against donor cells either by cytotoxic or flow-cytometric assay; results for one patient were equivocal.

FINDINGS

Renal biopsy samples were obtained 20 min after removal of the vascular clamps in nine patients. There was no evidence of hyperacute rejection in six of the nine patients; the other three patients showed glomerular thrombosis but no other evidence of hyperacute rejection. Two of these three grafts were functioning at 31 months of follow-up. Six episodes of acute rejection occurred in five patients during the first month after transplantation and overall there were 13 rejection episodes in nine patients. At latest follow-up (median 26 months, range 9-42), 12 of 13 patients were alive and seven of 13 grafts were surviving with a median plasma creatinine concentration of 185 mumol/L (range 106-296) in the functioning grafts. No graft was lost as a result of classic hyperacute rejection.

INTERPRETATION

Immediate pretransplant IA can prevent hyperacute rejection and provide an opportunity for successful transplantation in highly sensitised patients.

Antibody removal and subsequent transplantation of a highly sensitised paediatric renal patient

We report a successful renal transplant in a highly sensitised paediatric recipient following removal of HLA-specific antibodies by extracorporeal immunoadsorption. The immediate pretransplant cytotoxic titre against the donor was greater than 1:512; this was reduced to negativity by two immunoadsorption sessions prior to transplant surgery. We also describe the presence of unexpected non-HLA-specific antibody activities in this immunoadsorbed patient.

Transplant renal artery stenosis in 77 patients--does it have an immunological cause?

Transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS) is a common complication after transplantation and is an important cause of graft dysfunction. Damage from graft rejection, trauma, and atherosclerosis have been implicated as possible causes. We reviewed all 917 patients transplanted in our unit since 1978 to study the prevalence, clinical features, and possible causes of TRAS. Seventy-seven patients with TRAS were identified. The detected incidence was 2.4% before the introduction of color doppler ultrasonography (CDU) and rose to 12.4% after CDU was introduced in 1985, giving an overall incidence of 8.4% during a mean follow-up period of 6.9 years. The TRAS group was compared with a control group of 77 transplanted patients matched for age, year of transplant, sex, and number of previous grafts. Mean ages for the study and control groups were 43.6 +/- 15 and 44.8 +/- 13.7 yr. A total of 25% of cases of TRAS were diagnosed within the first 8 wk of transplantation and in 60% within the first 30 wk (median = 23 wk). All patients were treated with angioplasty, 28 patients had recurrence of TRAS requiring multiple angioplasties (maximum 5) and 1 went on to have surgery. Angioplasty resulted in a significant fall in plasma creatinine. Patient and graft survival were significantly worse in the TRAS group: 69% vs. 83% (P < 0.05) and 56% vs. 74% (P < 0.05) (TRAS vs. Control), respectively. There was a significantly higher incidence of rejection, especially cellular rejection in the TRAS group, 0.67 vs. 0.35 episodes per patient (P < 0.01) (TRAS vs. Control). Recurrence but not occurrence of TRAS was associated with the use of cyclosporine.

5-year follow-up of patients successfully transplanted after immunoadsorption to remove anti-HLA antibodies

The function of renal allografts in patients who had received pretransplant immunoadsorption in order to remove cytotoxic anti-HLA antibodies was studied. We reviewed 6 patients who received a graft which functioned beyond 3 months; the mean follow-up period was 76 (range 62-89) months. Two grafts have been lost from chronic rejection, at 12 and 62 months, respectively. The mean plasma creatinine levels at 1 and 5 years were 169 (range 143-211) mumol/l and 155 (range 92-235) mumol/l, respectively (1.91, range 1.62-2.39, mg/dl and 1.75, range 1.04-2.66 mg/dl, respectively). The major source of morbidity during long-term follow-up has been the occurrence of renal artery stenosis in 5 patient and renal vein stenosis in 1. In conclusion, the 5-year graft survival and function was good in patients who received immunoadsorption and whose grafts survived beyond the first 3 months after transplantation.

Anticipation of highly sensitised renal patients' immunoadsorption requirements by prescreening using protein A minicolumns

We are able to subdivide highly sensitised renal patients who wish to enter our immunoadsorption programme into two groups; those who will require acute pretransplant immunoadsorption only and those requiring regular immunoadsorption prior to transplantation. This division of patients is based on the results obtained from laboratory assessment using protein A minicolumns. Patient's plasma is passed down a minicolumn for 6 x 10 min cycles, a sample of plasma is kept after each cycle for analysis by cell flow cytometric cross-match (FCXM). The samples are screened against cells from two normal volunteers, one expressing a previously mismatched Class I HLA antigen (MMA) to which the patient has raised persistent IgG antibodies, the other, whilst not expressing any MMAs, should express a cross-reactive HLA Class I antigen (XRA) to which the patient has formed persistent IgG antibodies. Patients are allocated into the acute pretransplant immunoadsorption group if, after 6 minicolumn cycles, the T cell FCXM vs XRA and MMA is reduced to less than 1 Log median fluorescence intensity shift above the negative control and that both these values have been reduced by at least 15% from the preimmunoadsorption figure. If these criteria are not met, regular immunoadsorption is required under cover of cyclophosphamide. Eleven patients who have been allocated by these criteria have subsequently been transplanted without any incidence of hyperacute rejection.