Top news of July: Food allergy prevention, AI in practice, asthma and contraception, more
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Healio compiled the most-read news in allergy, asthma and immunology posted in July.
The role of infant diets in the development of food allergy, as well as in its prevention, was the subject of multiple stories. Meanwhile, our asthma coverage included the effectiveness of triple therapy and the impact of contraception and wildfires. Readers checked out reports on the use of artificial intelligence and drug allergy testing as well.
Fresh fruit should be refreshing in the summer. But if your patients develop an itchy mouth or throat after enjoying a tasty treat, they may have oral allergy syndrome. Image: Adobe Stock
Fresh produce and itchy mouths may indicate oral allergy syndrome
The proteins in some fruits and vegetables are similar to the proteins found in certain pollens, confusing the immune system and provoking allergic responses, Douglas H. Jones, MD, reports in the latest edition of his “Food Allergy: Fact vs. Fiction” series. Read more.
Infant feeding practices associated with rates of IgE-mediated food allergies
Infants breastfed through age 2 months developed more IgE-mediated food allergy than those who exclusively consumed cow’s milk formula, according to a study in Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Also, Carina Venter, PhD, RD, Jennifer A. Dantzer, MD, MHS, and Theresa Bingemann, MD, FACAAI, FAAAI, all share their perspectives on these results. Read more.
13.3% of caregivers aware of guidelines for early peanut introduction
Caregivers who were white, aged 30 to 44 years, had a bachelor’s degree or higher and/or reported an annual income of more than $60,000 were more likely to be aware of guidelines for introducing infants to peanuts between age 4 and 6 months, Waheeda Samady, MD, MSCI, told Healio. Read more.
Introducing allergenic foods remains main pathway for prevention
Feeding potentially allergenic foods to infants can protect them against the development of allergies to those foods well into adolescence, although research into refining timing, doses and duration of these introductions remains necessary, Alkis Togias, MD, said during the Global Food Allergy Prevention Summit. Read more.
Triple therapy improves asthma outcomes compared with pairs of medications
The use of an inhaled corticosteroid, long-acting beta 2 agonist and long-acting muscarinic antagonist improved asthma outcomes compared with use of just two of these medications, according to a study published in Respiratory Medicine. Read more.
AI enhances patient, clinician experience
Artificial intelligence can update electronic health record fields and select diagnosis codes during appointments so doctors can concentrate on talking with their patients, improving the visit for both, Maria Gil, MHA, wrote in a column. Read more.
Asthma development associated with hormonal contraceptive use during adolescence
Hazard ratios for developing asthma after initiating hormonal contraception included 2.16 for girls aged 10 to 13 years, 1.71 for girls aged 14 to 17 years and 1.34 for women aged 18 years and older, according to a study in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. Also, Colleen Denny, MD, shares her perspective. Read more.
VIDEO: Intervention spurs pediatricians to counsel caregivers in early peanut introduction
Pediatricians have a lot to cover during the age 4-month and age 6-month well visits. Education and notes in EHRs have increased the percentages of pediatricians who assess infants for peanut allergy risk, Lucy Bilaver, PhD, told Healio during the Global Food Allergy Prevention Summit. Click here to watch.
Physicians encouraged to be patient, act as policy advocates during wildfire season
As smoke from the Canadian wildfires continues to have an impact across the United States, Laura Kate Bender of the American Lung Association offered advice for how physicians can prepare their patients for days with poor air quality as well as how they can impact policy to mitigate the effects of wildfires in the future. Read more.
Nearly one-third of patients with drug allergy fail to follow up with challenges
“We were surprised with how many patients were not following up for testing, essentially leaving their evaluation only half-completed in which the allergist had discussed the possibility of allergy but had not definitively ruled it in or out via available testing,” Monica T. Kraft, MD, told Healio. Also, Allison C. Ramsey, MD, and Timothy G. Chow, MD, share their perspectives. Read more.