Incorporating Asthma Evaluation into the Otolaryngic Allergy Practice: Presentation and Diagnosis

Asthma occurs frequently as a comorbid condition in many patients presenting with common otolaryngology conditions, such as allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps. The classic presentation of asthma includes symptoms of wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness but can include other symptoms such as cough. The diagnosis is made mainly through history, although pulmonary function testing, spirometry, fractional exhaled nitric oxide, and impulse oscillometry may also prove helpful.

International consensus statement on allergy and rhinology: Allergic rhinitis - 2023

BACKGROUND

In the 5 years that have passed since the publication of the 2018 International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Allergic Rhinitis (ICAR-Allergic Rhinitis 2018), the literature has expanded substantially. The ICAR-Allergic Rhinitis 2023 update presents 144 individual topics on allergic rhinitis (AR), expanded by over 40 topics from the 2018 document. Originally presented topics from 2018 have also been reviewed and updated. The executive summary highlights key evidence-based findings and recommendation from the full document.

METHODS

ICAR-Allergic Rhinitis 2023 employed established evidence-based review with recommendation (EBRR) methodology to individually evaluate each topic. Stepwise iterative peer review and consensus was performed for each topic. The final document was then collated and includes the results of this work.

RESULTS

ICAR-Allergic Rhinitis 2023 includes 10 major content areas and 144 individual topics related to AR. For a substantial proportion of topics included, an aggregate grade of evidence is presented, which is determined by collating the levels of evidence for each available study identified in the literature. For topics in which a diagnostic or therapeutic intervention is considered, a recommendation summary is presented, which considers the aggregate grade of evidence, benefit, harm, and cost.

CONCLUSION

The ICAR-Allergic Rhinitis 2023 update provides a comprehensive evaluation of AR and the currently available evidence. It is this evidence that contributes to our current knowledge base and recommendations for patient evaluation and treatment.

Defining the Efficacy of Omalizumab in Nasal Polyposis: A POLYP 1 and POLYP 2 Subgroup Analysis

BACKGROUND

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a heterogeneous disease with variable underlying pathophysiologies. Numerous patient factors have been linked to differences in disease severity, control, and response to treatment, including asthma status, aspirin sensitivity, previous sinonasal surgery, and blood eosinophil levels.

OBJECTIVE

The present study examines the efficacy of the anti-immunoglobulin E therapy, omalizumab, versus placebo in patients with CRSwNP from the replicate POLYP 1 (NCT03280550) and POLYP 2 (NCT03280537) trials, grouped by inherent patient characteristics to determine the response to therapy.

METHODS

Patients in prespecified subgroups from POLYP 1 and POLYP 2 (studies pooled for analysis) were examined. Subgroups included blood eosinophil count at baseline (>300 or ≤300 cells/μL), previous sinonasal surgery (yes or no), asthma status (yes or no), and aspirin sensitivity status (yes or no). Subgroups were examined for subgroup-specific adjusted mean difference (95% confidence interval [CI]) (omalizumab-placebo) in change from baseline at week 24 in Nasal Congestion Score (NCS), Nasal Polyp Score (NPS), Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT-22), Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS), and University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT).

RESULTS

Adjusted mean difference (95% CI) (omalizumab-placebo) in NCS, NPS, SNOT-22, TNSS, and UPSIT change from baseline at week 24 consistently favored omalizumab treatment over placebo in patients with blood eosinophil count >300 and ≤300 cells/μL, with or without previous sinonasal surgery, asthma, and aspirin sensitivity.

CONCLUSION

Together, these data suggest broad efficacy of omalizumab across clinical and patient-reported outcomes in patients with CRSwNP, independent of the underlying patient factors examined, including those with high eosinophil levels and those who have undergone previous surgery, which are associated with high recurrence.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers: POLYP 1: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT03280550 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03280550); POLYP 2: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT03280537 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03280537).

Mechanisms and Practical Use of Biologic Therapies for Allergy and Asthma Indications

This article presents a concise overview of the important aspects of the immunologic mechanisms targeted by T-helper 2-directed monoclonal antibodies, as well as their practical applications in the treatment of allergic disorders (specifically allergic rhinitis) and asthma. Several of these novel agents treat multiple diseases, so understanding their targets and the underlying disease process can aid patient selection. In addition, the particular targets of the therapeutics seem to be shifting to include not only agents that intervene against inflammatory cytokines or their receptors but also specific molecular epitopes and cellular surface proteins.

International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Allergic Rhinitis

BACKGROUND

Critical examination of the quality and validity of available allergic rhinitis (AR) literature is necessary to improve understanding and to appropriately translate this knowledge to clinical care of the AR patient. To evaluate the existing AR literature, international multidisciplinary experts with an interest in AR have produced the International Consensus statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Allergic Rhinitis (ICAR:AR).

METHODS

Using previously described methodology, specific topics were developed relating to AR. Each topic was assigned a literature review, evidence-based review (EBR), or evidence-based review with recommendations (EBRR) format as dictated by available evidence and purpose within the ICAR:AR document. Following iterative reviews of each topic, the ICAR:AR document was synthesized and reviewed by all authors for consensus.

RESULTS

The ICAR:AR document addresses over 100 individual topics related to AR, including diagnosis, pathophysiology, epidemiology, disease burden, risk factors for the development of AR, allergy testing modalities, treatment, and other conditions/comorbidities associated with AR.

CONCLUSION

This critical review of the AR literature has identified several strengths; providers can be confident that treatment decisions are supported by rigorous studies. However, there are also substantial gaps in the AR literature. These knowledge gaps should be viewed as opportunities for improvement, as often the things that we teach and the medicine that we practice are not based on the best quality evidence. This document aims to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the AR literature to identify areas for future AR research and improved understanding.

Food Allergy 2014: State of the Science

Program Description:

This miniseminar includes 3 didactic lectures, an audience-interactive section, and Q&A. The lectures will focus on why food allergies develop by taking a critical look at the latest scientific evidence available in the literature, the role of oral tolerance in human evolution, and the relationship of failure to achieve oral tolerance on the health of the individual, relevant immunology, nonimmunologic food reactions versus immunologic reactions, both IgE-mediated and non–IgE-mediated, current methods of diagnosing food allergies, cutting-edge strategies such as component-resolved testing, skin and in vitro methods versus double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge. Treatment options for food allergy will also be discussed.

Educational Objectives:

(1) Evaluate the scientific basis of IgE- and non–IgE-mediated food allergy. (2) Describe the manifestations of food allergy in the head and neck region. (3) Use the currently available treatments for food allergy as well as future directions.

Food Allergy 2013: State of the Science

Program Description:

This miniseminar includes didactic lectures, an audience-interactive section, and Q&A. The lectures will focus on why food allergies develop by taking a critical look at the latest scientific evidence available in the literature, the role of oral tolerance in human evolution, and the relationship of failure to achieve oral tolerance on the health of the individual, relevant immunology, non-immunologic food reactions versus immunologic reactions, both immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated and non-IgE-mediated, current methods of diagnosing food allergies, cutting-edge strategies such as component-resolved testing, skin and in vitro methods versus double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge.

Educational Objectives:

1) Analyze the literature comparing different methods for diagnosing food allergy. 2) Evaluate the scientific basis of IgE and non-IgE mediated food allergy. 3) Describe the currently available treatments for food allergy as well as future directions.

Food Allergy 2011: State of the Science

Program Description: Food allergies are difficult for the patient to understand and challenging for the clinician to treat. The CDC has recently reported that the prevalence of reported food allergies increased 18% over the past 10 years in children under 18. In addition, children with food allergies are 2 to 4 times more likely to suffer from asthma and other allergies. Allergic reactions to foods can produce life-threatening anaphylaxis, but have also been associated with other head and neck problems such as Meniere’s disease, migraine headache, chronic rhinitis, and chronic serous otitis media. There is a wide range of symptoms attributed to food allergies, such as nausea, cramping, diarrhea, dermatitis, urticaria, asthma, and joint pain. However, despite the fact that otolaryngologists see a large number of patients with food allergies, diagnosis and treatment strategies still remain controversial. The first part of the miniseminar will focus on the scientific basis of food allergies by taking a critical look at the latest scientific evidence available in the literature. A basic review of the relevant immunology will be provided along with a comparison of IgE-mediated food reactions versus non-IgE-mediated food reactions. The impact that food preparation and food spoiling has on allergic pathways will also be examined. In the second part of the miniseminar, the manifestations of food allergies will be discussed. The recent literature concerning the rise in prevalence of food allergies will be analyzed and the impact of food allergies on the head and neck and airway will be reviewed. We will examine the role of oral tolerance in human evolution and the relationship of failure to achieve oral tolerance on the health of the individual. The next section will be devoted to the current diagnostic modalities available for the diagnosis of food allergies. The use of structured patient-completed surveys to maximize thoroughness and efficiency will be discussed. We will compare the performance and accuracy of the different methods of food allergy testing, including skin and in vitro methods vs. the traditional gold standard of double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge. The final part of the presentation will be devoted to treatment strategies for food allergies. Traditional methods, such as elimination diets and recognizing emergencies will be reviewed, as well as more cutting-edge techniques, such as oral and sublingual desensitization and genetically modified foods, will also be discussed. Audio-visual materials will be used to help present this information to the audience.

Educational Objectives: 1) Analyze the literature comparing different methods for diagnosing food allergy. 2) Evaluate the scientific basis of IgE and non-IgE mediated food allergy. 3) Understand the currently available treatments for food allergy as well as future directions.

Food Allergy: State of the Science--Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Committee

In the past several years, food allergies have taken center stage in the media and have become a topic of great concern for our patients and their families. Whether or not this is due to a rise in the prevalence of food allergies or just a heightened awareness, it is our responsibility as clinicians and scientists to critically analyze the current evidence available concerning the epidemiology, manifestations, diagnosis, and management of this disease. In 2010, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) published guidelines concerning the diagnosis and management of food allergies. Since 2009, the Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Committee of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery has sponsored a miniseminar titled, "Food Allergy: State of the Science." This commentary focuses on the highlights from the 2010 meeting and provides some thoughts on what this latest publication means to otolaryngologists.