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The Journal of Allergy and Clinical... Jun 2024It is currently unclear whether cesarean section increases the risk of allergic diseases in offspring.
BACKGROUND
It is currently unclear whether cesarean section increases the risk of allergic diseases in offspring.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the association between cesarean section and the risk of allergic diseases in offspring.
METHODS
We searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for relevant studies up to October 12, 2023. Observational studies comparing the risk of allergic diseases in offspring delivered by cesarean section versus those delivered vaginally were included. Most-adjusted estimates from individual studies were synthesized by meta-analysis.
RESULTS
A total of 113 studies were included, 70 of which had a low risk of bias. Compared with offspring delivered vaginally, offspring delivered by cesarean section had significantly greater risks of asthma (odds ratio [OR] 1.20, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.25), allergic rhinitis/conjunctivitis (OR 1.15, CI 1.09 to 1.22), atopic dermatitis/eczema (OR 1.08, CI 1.04 to 1.13), food allergies (OR 1.35, CI 1.18 to 1.54), and allergic sensitization (OR 1.19, CI 1.10 to 1.28). Cesarean section did not significantly increase urticaria risk. Sensitivity analyses including only studies with a low risk of bias, adjusted estimates, prospective data collection, large sample sizes, or outcomes from medical records generally supported these findings. Offspring age, study region latitude, economy type, and cesarean section rate accounted for some of the clinical heterogeneity. No data on allergic purpura were found.
CONCLUSION
Most-adjusted estimates suggest that cesarean section is associated with increased risks of asthma, allergic rhinitis/conjunctivitis, atopic dermatitis/eczema, food allergies, and allergic sensitization in offspring. The impact of cesarean section on urticaria and purpura remains uncertain.
PubMed: 38908434
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2024.06.022 -
Journal of Thermal Biology Apr 2024Infrared thermography (IRT) has become more accessible due to technological advancements, making thermal cameras more affordable. Infrared thermal cameras capture the... (Review)
Review
Infrared thermography (IRT) has become more accessible due to technological advancements, making thermal cameras more affordable. Infrared thermal cameras capture the infrared rays emitted by objects and convert it into temperature representations. IRT has emerged as a promising and non-invasive approach for examining the human eye. Ocular surface temperature assessment based on IRT is vital for the diagnosis and monitoring of various eye conditions like dry eye, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, allergic conjunctivitis, and inflammatory diseases. A collective sum of 192 articles was sourced from various databases, and through adherence to the PRISMA guidelines, 29 articles were ultimately chosen for systematic analysis. This systematic review article seeks to provide readers with a thorough understanding of IRT's applications, advantages, limitations, and recent developments in the context of eye examinations. It covers various aspects of IRT-based eye analysis, including image acquisition, processing techniques, ocular surface temperature measurement, three different approaches to identifying abnormalities, and different evaluation metrics used. Our review also delves into recent advancements, particularly the integration of machine learning and deep learning algorithms into IRT-based eye examinations. Our systematic review not only sheds light on the current state of research but also outlines promising future prospects for the integration of infrared thermography in advancing eye health diagnostics and care.
Topics: Humans; Thermography; Infrared Rays; Eye Diseases; Eye; Machine Learning; Body Temperature
PubMed: 38744026
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2024.103867 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Mar 2024Early-onset myopia increases the risk of irreversible high myopia. This study systematically evaluated the efficacy and safety of low-dose atropine for myopia control... (Review)
Review
Early-onset myopia increases the risk of irreversible high myopia. This study systematically evaluated the efficacy and safety of low-dose atropine for myopia control in children with premyopia through meta-analysis using random-effects models. Effect sizes were calculated using risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Comprehensive searches of PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL, and ClinicalTrials.gov were conducted until 20 December 2023, without language restrictions. Four studies involving 644 children with premyopia aged 4-12 years were identified, with atropine concentrations ranging from 0.01% to 0.05%. The analysis focused on myopia incidence and atropine-related adverse events. Lower myopia incidence (RR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.40-0.97 D/y; = 0.03) and reduction in rapid myopia shift (≥0.5 D/1y) (RR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.26-0.96 D/y; < 0.01) were observed in the 12-24-month period. Spherical equivalent and axial length exhibited attenuated progression in the atropine group. No major adverse events were detected in either group, whereas the incidence of photophobia and allergic conjunctivitis did not vary in the 12-24-month period. Our meta-analysis supports atropine's efficacy and safety for delaying myopia incidence and controlling progression in children with premyopia. However, further investigation is warranted due to limited studies.
PubMed: 38592670
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13051506 -
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology May 2024Prior studies have found associations between atopic dermatitis (AD) and comorbidities, including depression, obesity, asthma, and allergic rhinitis. Although...
Prior studies have found associations between atopic dermatitis (AD) and comorbidities, including depression, obesity, asthma, and allergic rhinitis. Although observational studies often cannot establish robust causality between potential risk factors and AD, Mendelian randomization minimizes confounding when exploring causality by relying on random allelic assortment at birth. In this study, we systematically reviewed 30 Mendelian randomization studies in AD. Body mass index, gut microbial flora, the IL-18 signaling pathway, and gastroesophageal reflux disease were among the causal factors for AD, whereas AD was causal for several medical conditions, including heart failure, rheumatoid arthritis, and conjunctivitis. These insights may improve preventive counseling in AD.
Topics: Humans; Dermatitis, Atopic; Mendelian Randomization Analysis; Risk Factors; Comorbidity; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Body Mass Index; Gastroesophageal Reflux; Interleukin-18; Genetic Predisposition to Disease
PubMed: 37977498
DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2023.10.016 -
International Archives of Allergy and... 2024Sexual dysfunction (SD) and allergic disease are common health concerns worldwide and bear a potential relationship. This scoping review is conducted to analyze the...
INTRODUCTION
Sexual dysfunction (SD) and allergic disease are common health concerns worldwide and bear a potential relationship. This scoping review is conducted to analyze the currently available data regarding the associations between these two health issues.
METHODS
A comprehensive literature search was performed in the databases of PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Web of Science to retrieve studies that were published before January 2023. A narrative synthesis was conducted to analyze the effects of allergic diseases on SD based on the evaluation of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF).
RESULTS
Twelve observational studies were included after the selection process. The results generally suggested lower FSFI or IIEF scores in patients with asthma, allergic rhinitis, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, and urticaria compared to the healthy control groups. The underlying factors of this relationship could be inflammation, psychological factors, hormonal changes, sleep disorders, sexual behavior-related allergic reactions, social economic status, and the use of medications.
CONCLUSION
SD and allergic disease are interrelated based on the extant literature. This scoping review provides insights into the clinical implications of both entities, while more research studies are warranted to further elucidate this complex relationship.
Topics: Male; Humans; Female; Rhinitis, Allergic; Asthma; Inflammation
PubMed: 37729893
DOI: 10.1159/000533403 -
Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology Aug 2023Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a chronic, bilateral corneal and conjunctival problem which typically presents in young individuals. VKC is characterized by... (Review)
Review
Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a chronic, bilateral corneal and conjunctival problem which typically presents in young individuals. VKC is characterized by itching, photophobia, white mucous discharge, lacrimation, foreign body sensation, and pain due to corneal involvement of shield ulcers. Vernal keratoconjunctivitis is categorized within ocular diseases. The diagnosis is clinical, as no sure biomarkers pathognomonic of the disease have yet been identified. The VKC therapy relies on different types of drugs, from antihistamines and topical steroids to cyclosporine or tacrolimus eye drops. In extremely rare cases, there is also the need for surgical treatment for the debridement of ulcers, as well as for advanced glaucoma and cataracts, caused by excessive prolonged use of steroid eye drops. We performed a systematic review of the literature, according to PRISMA guideline recommendations. We searched the PubMed database from January 2016 to June 2023. Search terms were Vernal, Vernal keratoconjunctivitis, and VKC. We initially identified 211 articles. After the screening process, 168 studies were eligible according to our criteria and were included in the review. In this study, we performed a systematic literature review to provide a comprehensive overview of currently available diagnostic methods, management of VKC, and its treatments.
Topics: Humans; Conjunctivitis, Allergic; Ulcer; Cyclosporine; Tacrolimus; Ophthalmic Solutions
PubMed: 37658939
DOI: 10.1007/s12016-023-08970-4 -
Allergy, Asthma, and Clinical... Aug 2023Immunoglobulin A deficiency (IgAD) is a common disease with an unknown genetic defect, characterized by the decreased or absent IgA with other isotypes normal, normal... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
Immunoglobulin A deficiency (IgAD) is a common disease with an unknown genetic defect, characterized by the decreased or absent IgA with other isotypes normal, normal subclasses, and specific antibodies. Patients with this disorder represent a spectrum of clinical manifestations including infections, autoimmune disorders, malignancy, and allergic diseases. The current study aimed to evaluate their prevalence and categorized them.
METHODS
We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases to find eligible studies from the earliest available date to January 2022 with standard keywords. Pooled estimates of clinical manifestations prevalence and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals were calculated using random-effects models.
RESULTS
The most prevalent clinical manifestations belonged to infection (64.8%) followed by allergic diseases (26.16%) and autoimmunity (22.0%), respectively. In selective IgA deficiency patients as the largest group of IgAD in current study, celiac disease (6.57%), Inflammatory bowel disease (4.01%), and rheumatoid arthritis (3.80%) were the most prevalent autoimmunity. Meanwhile, the most frequent infection was respiratory tract infection, fungal infection, and gastrointestinal infection at 50.74%, 18.48%, and 15.79%, respectively. In addition, the pooled prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and allergic conjunctivitis were 19.06%, 15.46%, and 11.68%, respectively which were reported as the most widespread allergic diseases.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results showed that apart from undiagnosed IgAD patients, IgAD patients represent a wide range of clinical manifestations. Infection, allergy, and autoimmunity are the most common clinical manifestations. The concurrent presence of IgA and IgG subtypes deficiency could be associated with increased susceptibility to infection. Considering the probability of developing new clinical complications during follow-up, periodic assessments of IgAD patients should be inspected.
PubMed: 37641141
DOI: 10.1186/s13223-023-00826-y -
Pediatric Allergy and Immunology :... Jul 2023Following the "hygiene hypothesis" and the increase in the prevalence of atopic diseases such as allergic rhinitis, a plethora of studies have investigated the role of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Following the "hygiene hypothesis" and the increase in the prevalence of atopic diseases such as allergic rhinitis, a plethora of studies have investigated the role of sibship composition as a protective factor, but findings are conflicting. The aim of this study was to synthesize the global literature linking birth order and sibship size (number of siblings) to the risk of allergic rhinitis. Fifteen databases were systematically searched, with no restrictions on publication date or language. Observational studies with defined sibship composition (birth order or sibship size) as exposure and allergic rhinitis or allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (self-reported or clinically diagnosed) as outcome were eligible. Study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment were performed independently in pairs. Relevant data were summarized in tables. Comparable numerical data were analyzed using meta-analysis with robust variance estimation (RVE). Seventy-six reports with >2 million subjects were identified. Being second- or later-born child was associated with protection against both current (pooled risk ratio [RR] 0.79, 95% CI 0.73-0.86) and ever (RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.68-0.88) allergic rhinitis. Having siblings, regardless of birth order, was associated with a decreased risk of current allergic rhinitis (RR 0.89, 95% CI 0.83-0.95) and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.86-0.98). These effects were unchanged across age, time period, and geographical regions. Our findings thus indicate that primarily, a higher birth order, and to a lesser extent the number of siblings, is associated with a lower risk of developing allergic rhinitis.
Topics: Child; Humans; Siblings; Rhinitis, Allergic; Conjunctivitis
PubMed: 37492922
DOI: 10.1111/pai.13991 -
American Journal of Ophthalmology Jan 2024To summarize key findings from a Cochrane review of the benefits and safety of antibiotic therapy compared with placebo (or vehicle) for acute bacterial conjunctivitis. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE
To summarize key findings from a Cochrane review of the benefits and safety of antibiotic therapy compared with placebo (or vehicle) for acute bacterial conjunctivitis.
DESIGN
Systematic review and meta-analysis.
METHODS
We included placebo-controlled randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared topical antibiotics with placebo. We followed Cochrane methods for trial selection, data extraction, risk of bias assessment, and evidence synthesis.
RESULTS
Twenty-one RCTs involving 8805 participants with acute bacterial conjunctivitis were included. Fifteen (71%) RCTs examined fluoroquinolone (FQ) drops, 3 tested macrolides, alone or in combination with steroids, and another 3 compared other non-FQ antibiotics. Intention-to-treat estimates suggested that compared with placebo, antibiotics may increase clinical recovery by 26% (risk ratio [RR]: 1.26; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.09-1.46) at the end of therapy (5 RCTs, 1474 participants). Modified intention-to-treat estimates, in which only participants with laboratory-confirmed bacterial conjunctivitis were analyzed, indicated that antibiotics were associated with 53% higher likelihood of microbiological cure as compared with placebo (RR: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.34-1.74; 10 RCTs, 2827 participants). Non-FQs (RR: 4.05; 95% CI: 1.36-12.00), but not FQs (RR: 0.70; 95% CI: 0.54-0.90), were likely to increase treatment-associated ocular complications such as eye pain, discomfort, and allergic reactions; the certainty of level of evidence was very low.
CONCLUSIONS
Moderate level certainty of evidence suggested that antibiotics may increase the likelihood of clinical recovery and microbiological clearance compared with placebo. Very low-level certainty of evidence suggested that antibiotics may be associated with potential harm in patients with acute bacterial conjunctivitis, but the potential risk of bias from study design, inconsistency in outcome measurement, and reporting limit the evidence to very low certainty.
Topics: Humans; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Conjunctivitis, Bacterial
PubMed: 37482371
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2023.06.027 -
Survey of Ophthalmology 2023The toxicology of secondhand smoke (SHS), along with the harm of its exposure to human health, has been generally acknowledged; however, specific evidence is lacking on... (Review)
Review
The toxicology of secondhand smoke (SHS), along with the harm of its exposure to human health, has been generally acknowledged; however, specific evidence is lacking on the association between SHS exposure and ocular health. In this systematic review (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42022247992), we included 55 original articles published by 12 May 2023, which dealt with SHS exposure and ocular disorders, such as eye irritation, conjunctivitis, dry eye diseases, uveitis, myopia, astigmatism, contact lens discomfort, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and thyroid eye disease that addressed the ocular neurovascular structures of the macular, retinal nerve fiber layer, choroid, and corneal biomechanical parameters. We found compelling correlational evidence for eye irritation, conjunctivitis, and dry eye symptoms-supporting that SHS exposure was positively associated with inflammatory and allergic changes in the eyes. Yet, evidence about the associations between SHS exposure and other ocular disorders, structures, and parameters is still limited or controversial. Given the limitations of existing literature, more investigations with high quality and rigorous design are warranted to elucidate the potentially harmful effects of SHS exposure on ocular health.
Topics: Humans; Tobacco Smoke Pollution; Eye; Macular Degeneration; Conjunctivitis
PubMed: 37479063
DOI: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2023.07.001