The most common indoor allergens are house dust mites, molds, cockroaches, and pet allergens. Increasing exposure to these allergens increases the possibility of sensitization. This study examines changes in allergen sensitivity during the pre-pandemic, pandemic, and post-pandemic periods. We retrospectively analyzed 19,525 skin prick test results from patients visiting the allergy clinic between January 2017 and August 2024. Patients were categorized into pre-pandemic (January 2017-March 2020), pandemic (March 2020-December 2022), and post-pandemic (January 2023-August 2024) periods. Allergen sensitization rates were compared across these timeframes. A linear increase was observed in cats-Dermatophagoides farinae, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, and Artemisia vulgaris allergen sensitization during and after the pandemic period compared to the pre-pandemic period (all p<0.001). Cockroach and grass-pollen sensitivities increased during the pandemic and remained elevated post-pandemic (all p<0.001). Dog allergen sensitivity peaked during the pandemic but declined post-pandemic (p<0.001). Sensitivity to the tree-pollen mixture, weed-pollen mixture, and Chenopodium album increased during the pandemic, slightly decreased post-pandemic, but remained significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels (p<0.001). In the test results studied since the pandemic period, Aspergillus fumigatus (p=0.007) and Cladosporium herbarum (p=0.005) allergen sensitivity was seen less in the post-pandemic period. The current study reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic has significant effects on allergen sensitivity profiles along with changes in living habits. In particular, the increase in sensitivity to indoor allergens may be associated with the increased time spent at home during the pandemic, emphasizing the importance of environmental factors in the development of allergic diseases.

Objective: To explore the efficacy of Xuanbai Chengqi Decoction combined with conventional Western medicine in the treatment of AECOPD patients with phlegm-heat obstructing the lung syndrome.Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 166 patients with this syndrome admitted to our hospital between December 2023 and March 2024. Patients were divided into a study group (Xuanbai Chengqi Decoction + conventional Western medicine treatment, 83 cases) and a control group (conventional Western medicine treatment, 83 cases). The clinical efficacy, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndrome scores, blood routine indicators, inflammatory factors, and other clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups.Results: Before treatment, there were no significant differences in the above-mentioned indicators between the two groups (P &gt; 0.05). After treatment, the study group showed a significantly higher overall effective treatment rate, lymphocyte percentage, SOD, and NO levels, and a significantly lower TCM syndrome score, neutrophil percentage, white blood cell count, TNF-α, IL-6, CRP, and MOD levels, with statistical significance (P &lt; 0.05).Conclusion: Xuanbai Chengqi Decoction combined with Western medicine treatment can effectively alleviate the clinical symptoms of AECOPD patients with phlegm-heat obstructing the lungs syndrome, improve blood routine indicators, control inflammation, and enhance the overall therapeutic effect.

Hymenoptera venom allergy is a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. Venom immunotherapy (VIT) is recommended to prevent severe allergic reactions. Field stings indicate the effectiveness of immunotherapy. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of venom-induced anaphylaxis, risk factors, and field sting reactions during or after the completion of VIT. In this study, the records of patients who underwent VIT between 2015 and 2023 at one of the largest referral hospitals in Turkey were retrospectively analysed. The protocol followed during the initiation of immunotherapy, adverse reactions, clinical characteristics of the patients (including demographic characteristics, allergic diseases, laboratory findings), and field sting reactions during and after completion of immunotherapy were analysed. A total of 194,526 unique patient files evaluated in the Allergy Outpatient Clinic between 2015 and 2023 were analysed. Of these, 384 patients were admitted with an allergic complaint following a bee sting. Among them, 113 patients (29.4%) were eligible for VIT. A total of 79 patients were included (F/M: 41/38). VIT was performed with honeybee venom in 39 patients, vespid venom in 36 patients, and both venoms in 4 patients. 62.0% (n=49) of the patients had been stung by a bee in the head and neck region. 69.6% (n=55) of the patients had a stage 3 reaction before VIT. The cluster scheme was applied to 54.4% (n=43) of all patients. There was no statistically significant difference in the number of field stings or the use of adrenaline autoinjectors between the VIT groups (p>0.05). Stage 3-4 reactions developed in 87.8% of patients stung in the head and neck region, compared to 53.3% of patients stung in other regions. During and after VIT, field stings were reviewed both from patient files and by follow-up inquiries during control visits. During VIT, field stings were observed in 19 patients. Systemic allergic reactions developed in 5 patients, and local allergic reactions developed in 6 patients; no allergic complaints were observed in 8 patients. After VIT was discontinued, 56 field sting reactions developed in 25 patients. Local allergic reactions developed in 9 patients, but no systemic allergic reactions were observed. Mastocytosis was diagnosed in a patient whose tryptase level was 42.4 and whose c-kit mutation was positive following haematological evaluation. This study confirms that the prevalence of venom-induced anaphylaxis was calculated to be 0.058%. Being stung in the head and neck region was identified as a risk factor for the development of stage 3-4 (severe allergic reactions).

Asthma and endometriosis are two prevalent chronic conditions that affect a significant portion of the population. Both conditions have been linked to inflammatory processes and immune dysregulation, suggesting the possibility of a shared pathophysiological mechanism. Despite the growing interest in the connection between asthma and endometriosis, the current literature remains inconclusive. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to consolidate the available evidence and provide a comprehensive understanding of the association between asthma and endometriosis. We searched Embase, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar to identify studies that met our criteria. The random effects model was used to calculate the pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for individuals with endometriosis and non-endometriosis controls who have asthma. Additionally, we performed subgroup analyses based on geographic region to identify potential sources of heterogeneity. The research protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42024567249). Six eligible case-control studies involving 66,997 cases and 3,253,658 controls were used to examine the association between asthma and endometriosis. Through a comprehensive search and analysis of relevant studies, a significant association between asthma and endometriosis was identified (OR: 1.786, 95% CI: 1.511-2.111, P < 0.001). The correlation showed significant heterogeneity in the study (I2 = 75.709; P-value = 0.001), with geographic region identified as a significant factor contributing to this variation. Our meta-analysis demonstrates a significant link between asthma and endometriosis, highlighting the need for comprehensive management that addresses both conditions.

This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing the complication of allergic rhinitis in children with bronchial asthma and to construct a nomogram model to predict the occurrence of allergic rhinitis. A total of 190 children with bronchial asthma admitted to our hospital from August 2020 to August 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. The children were randomly divided into the training cohort (133 cases) and validation cohort (57 cases) in a ratio of 7:3. The children in the modeling set were divided into an allergic rhinitis group (n=44) and a nonallergic rhinitis group (n=89) depending on the presence or absence of concomitant allergic rhinitis. A total of 62 cases in 190 children with bronchial asthma had complications with allergic rhinitis, with an incidence of 32.63%. In the training cohort, compared with the children in the nonallergic rhinitis group, percentage of smokers in the household, C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell count (WBC), and neutrophils/lymphocytes (NLR) were significantly higher in the allergic rhinitis group (P < 0.05). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that smokers in the household; IgE; early use of antibiotics; and elevated CRP, WBC, and NLR were all risk factors for the complication of allergic rhinitis in children with bronchial asthma (P < 0.05). A nomogram prediction model was constructed based on the above risk factors. The C-index of the nomogram was 0.919 (95% CI: 0.742-0.934) and 0.841 (95% CI: 0.773-0.902) for the training cohort and validation cohort, respectively. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test results of the training and validation cohorts were both P > 0.05, suggesting a good model fit. The results of DCA showed that the training and validation cohorts had good threshold probability and clinical net benefit. Smokers in the household, IgE, CRP, WBC, and NLR levels were all risk factors for the complication of allergic rhinitis in children with bronchial asthma. A nomogram model based on these risk factors may be a valuable clinical tool for predicting allergic rhinitis in children with bronchial asthma.

Montelukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA) approved for the treatment of asthma and allergic rhinitis, is widely used, though real-world data on its application in asthma management remain limited. This registry-based study evaluated the use of montelukast in adult asthma patients, examining demographic and disease characteristics, asthma control status, asthma phenotypes, presence of atopy, and treatment regimens. Among 2053 patients analyzed, 61.76% (n = 1268; mean age: 46.2 ± 14.3 years), predominantly females (~76%), received montelukast. Montelukast users showed higher rates of allergic rhinitis (P < 0.001), hypersensitivity to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (P = 0.008), and chronic rhinosinusitis (P = 0.008). Montelukast group also had higher atopy and total IgE levels and tended to be more eosinophilic. Montelukast was commonly preferred in allergic, eosinophilic, NSAID-exacerbated respiratory disease, and severe asthma phenotypes (P < 0.001). Patients receiving Steps 4 and 5 treatments are more likely to be prescribed montelukast (P < 0.001). Montelukast usage was higher among patients with uncontrolled asthma [ACT< 20 (OR:1.29, 95%CI:1.052-1.582, P = 0.014)]. In addition, logistic regression analyses identified the main factors associated with increased montelukast use as; female gender (OR:1.33, 95%CI:1.041-1.713, P = 0.02), presence of atopy (OR:1.46, 95%CI:1.157-1.864, P = 0.002), comorbid allergic rhinitis (OR:2.12, 95%CI:1.679-2.293, P < 0.001), and severe asthma (OR:2.18, 95%CI:1.712-2.784, P < 0.001). These findings reveal that montelukast use is prevalent among asthma patients, particularly in females, middle-aged adults, and those with comorbid allergic rhinitis, uncontrolled asthma, or specific asthma phenotypes, underscoring the factors that influence its prescription in asthma management.