SQ sublingual immunotherapy tablets for children with allergic rhinitis: A review of phase three trials

AIM

To provide paediatricians with a summary of efficacy and safety of SQ sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) tablets from phase three, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials in children and adolescents with allergic rhinitis or rhinoconjunctivitis, with and without asthma.

METHODS

PubMed searches were conducted and unpublished data were included if necessary.

RESULTS

Of the 93 publications, 12 were identified reporting 10 trials. One trial was excluded as paediatric-specific efficacy data were unavailable. The nine eligible trials evaluated grass, house dust mite, ragweed and tree SLIT tablets. Consistent reductions in allergic rhinitis or rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms and medication use were observed with SQ SLIT tablets versus placebo. In a five-year trial, sustained reduction of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms, asthma symptoms and medication use were observed with SQ grass SLIT tablet versus placebo. The number-needed-to-treat to prevent asthma symptoms and medication use in one additional child during follow-up was lowest in younger children. SQ SLIT tablets were generally well tolerated across trials.

CONCLUSION

Evidence supports use of SQ SLIT tablets in children and adolescents with allergic rhinitis or rhinoconjunctivitis, with and without asthma. Long-term data demonstrate disease-modifying effects of SQ grass SLIT tablet and suggest the clinical relevance of initiating allergy immunotherapy earlier in the disease course.

Efficacy of oral corticosteroids for acute preschool wheeze: a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials

BACKGROUND

Oral corticosteroids are commonly used for acute preschool wheeze, although there is conflicting evidence of their benefit. We assessed the clinical efficacy of oral corticosteroids by means of a systematic review and individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis.

METHODS

In this systematic review with IPD meta-analysis, we systematically searched eight databases (PubMed, Ovid Embase, CINAHLplus, CENTRAL, ClinicalTrials.gov, EudraCT, EU Clinical Trials Register, WHO Clinical Trials Registry) for randomised clinical trials published from Jan 1, 1994, to June 30, 2020, comparing oral corticosteroids with placebo in children aged 12 to 71 months with acute preschool wheeze in any setting based on the Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes framework. We contacted principal investigators of eligible studies to obtain deidentified individual patient data. The primary outcome was change in wheezing severity score (WSS). A key secondary outcome length of hospital stay. We also calculated a pooled estimate of six commonly reported adverse events in the follow-up period of IPD datasets. One-stage and two-stage meta-analyses employing a random-effects model were used. This study is registered with PROSPERO, CRD42020193958.

FINDINGS

We identified 16 102 studies published between Jan 1, 1994, and June 30, 2020, from which there were 12 eligible trials after deduplication and screening. We obtained individual data from seven trials comprising 2172 children, with 1728 children in the eligible IPD age range; 853 (49·4%) received oral corticosteroids (544 [63·8%] male and 309 [36·2%] female) and 875 (50·6%) received placebo (583 [66·6%] male and 292 [33·4%] female). Compared with placebo, a greater change in WSS at 4 h was seen in the oral corticosteroids group (mean difference -0·31 [95% CI -0·38 to -0·24]; p=0·011) but not 12 h (-0·02 [-0·17 to 0·14]; p=0·68), with low heterogeneity between studies (I2=0%; τ2<0·001). Length of hospital stay was significantly reduced in the oral corticosteroids group (-3·18 h [-4·43 to -1·93]; p=0·0021; I2=0%; τ2<0·001). Subgroup analyses showed that this reduction was greatest in those with a history of wheezing or asthma (-4·54 h [-5·57 to -3·52]; pinteraction=0·0007). Adverse events were infrequently reported (four of seven datasets), but oral corticosteroids were associated with an increased risk of vomiting (odds ratio 2·27 [95% CI 0·87 to 5·88]; τ2<0·001). Most datasets (six of seven) had a low risk of bias.

INTERPRETATION

Oral corticosteroids reduce WSS at 4 h and length of hospital stay in children with acute preschool wheeze. In those with a history of previous wheeze or asthma, oral corticosteroids provide a potentially clinically relevant effect on length of hospital stay.

FUNDING

Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research.

Antibiotic prescriptions for child sinusitis varied between specialties after Finnish guidelines were updated in 2018

AIM

We evaluated antibiotic prescriptions issued for Finnish children with acute sinusitis by a nationwide private outpatient clinic network from 2014-2020. Data were compared before and after updated guidelines in 2018.

METHODS

The study comprised data on 45 296 children aged 2-17 years with acute sinusitis, namely diagnoses, ages, dates, the doctor's specialty and any antibiotics. We measured compliance with the updated 2018 Finnish guidelines, which recommended amoxicillin or amoxicillin-clavulanic acid for children under 12 years old, with doxycycline as an alternative for 12 years plus.

RESULTS

There were 6621-7585 visits per year for acute sinusitis in 2014-2019 and 2954 in 2020. Antibiotics were prescribed for 37.9%-41.6% of patients during the study years. Amoxicillin, including penicillin, accounted for 35.9% of prescriptions, followed by amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (26.9%). Macrolides accounted for 20.6% and, encouragingly, decreased by 38% from 2014-2019. Doxycycline accounted for 5.3%. Paediatricians, general practitioners (GPs) and ear, nose and throat specialists followed the guidelines in 75.1%, 73.8% and 66.7% of cases, respectively. GPs prescribed antibiotics more often than other physicians.

CONCLUSION

Antibiotics were prescribed for about 40% of acute sinusitis visits by Finnish children from 2014-2019. Specialities differed with regard to prescribing rates and whether they followed the guidelines.

Trends in ferritin measurements in children and adolescents: A Finnish 9-year observational study

Aim

A lack of stored iron, indicated by low serum ferritin, has been associated with various clinical symptoms. There are no longitudinal data on the frequency of ferritin measurements in children and adolescents.

Methods

A total of 2834 children aged <18 years with serum ferritin and other anaemia‐related blood parameters taken during an outpatient visit between 2012 and 2019 were investigated. Patients with acute infections were excluded. Nationwide temporal and regional variations and correlations with public information searches through Google were analysed.

Results

A significant increase in the frequency of ferritin measurements was seen starting in 2018, with a 47‐fold rise in 2019 compared to 2012. A simultaneous escalation in Google Search activity was seen. Deficiency of stored iron was relatively common: 21.6% of children with normal haemoglobin and 14.9% of non‐anaemic children with normal red cell indices exhibited ferritin levels below 15 μg/L.

Conclusion

Ferritin measurement has increased greatly among children and adolescents. Our results suggest that public interest and popular trends can significantly influence health care practices. This calls for further investigation into the causes and consequences of such a phenomenon. Prospective randomised intervention studies are needed to evaluate the utility of iron supplementation in patients with low iron storage levels.

Antibiotic prescriptions for children with lower respiratory tract infections fell from 2014 to 2020, but misuse was still an issue

AIM

We evaluated main trends in antibiotic prescriptions for children with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) by Terveystalo, Finland's largest private healthcare company.

METHODS

The study comprised of 89,359 children aged 0-17 years (57.2% boys) who visited Terveystalo primary care clinics from 2014 to 2020 with LRTI. The data were assessed by age, study year, location, the doctor's speciality and whether the diagnosis was bronchitis or community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).

RESULTS

There were gradual decreases in overall antibiotic prescription rates during the study period (37.0% in 2014 vs. 20.1% in 2020) and in prescribed macrolides (16.8% vs. 7.5%). Altogether, 31.3% of 72,737 children with bronchitis and 22.5% of those 16,622 with CAP-received antibiotics. Macrolides were the most frequently prescribed antibiotics for bronchitis, at more than 40%, without any substantial relative decrease during the study. Costs of antibiotics increased from 2014 to 2016 and then decreased in line with the reduction in prescriptions. However, there was still a marked overuse of antibiotics, especially macrolides, for children with bronchitis. The relative use of amoxicillin for CAP increased from 41.4% to 65.4% between 2016 and 2020, in line with current guidelines.

CONCLUSION

Despite an overall reduction in prescribed antibiotics, some antibiotics were still overused, particularly macrolides for bronchitis.

Antibiotic prescribing for children with upper respiratory tract infection: a Finnish nationwide 7-year observational study

Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) is a self-limiting viral infection and should not be treated with antibiotics. The aim was to evaluate antibiotic prescriptions for children with uncomplicated URTI in a large nationwide private clinic network between 2014 and 2020. Special focus was given to macrolide prescriptions and costs. The data were obtained from the electronic health records (EHR) of the largest private healthcare company in Finland (with about 250,000 paediatric visits annually across the country). The collected variables included diagnoses, age, visit year, speciality of the doctor, and prescribed antibiotics. The number of uncomplicated URTIs in < 18-year-old children was 156,187 (53.0% in boys). The prescription rate of antibiotics decreased from 18.0% in 2014 to 8.8% in 2020, and that of macrolides from 6.1 to 1.7%. The costs decreased accordingly. Paediatricians prescribed antibiotics less often than general practitioners or ear, nose, and throat specialists.

CONCLUSION

Antibiotic prescriptions for uncomplicated URTIs, especially macrolides, decreased substantially during the 7-year surveillance period; however, 8.8% of children still received unnecessary antibiotics. To further reduce unwarranted antibiotic prescriptions, active interventions are needed that can be performed by applying the available EHR system.

WHAT IS KNOWN

• Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) is the most common infection in children. Uncomplicated URTI is a self-limiting viral infection, and antibiotic treatment is not warranted.

WHAT IS NEW

• Almost 9% of children with uncomplicated URTIs still received unnecessary antibiotics. Paediatricians prescribed antibiotics less often than general practitioners or ear, nose, and throat specialists. To further reduce unwarranted antibiotic prescriptions, active interventions are needed that can be performed by applying the available EHR system.

Heterogeneity of emergency treatment practices in wheezing preschool children

AIM

Our aim was to survey treatment practices used for preschool children with wheezing in emergency rooms (ER) focussing on inhalation device choice and handling, face mask use, salbutamol dosing and written instructions. We sought to assess whether current protocols are in line with published evidence and guidelines.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional survey done in paediatric ER units located in Finnish municipalities with more than 10 000 inhabitants.

RESULTS

Of the 100 units contacted, 50% responded. More than 50% of the units used nebulisers. Only 13% of the units administered salbutamol in single puffs. More than 30% of the units lacked criteria on face mask use. Poor co-operation had no effect on the dose of salbutamol in 62% of the units. Ensuring tight mask-to-face seal was included in the training in 20% of the units. A written action plan was provided to the caregivers in 28% of the units.

CONCLUSION

ER treatment guidelines for preschool children with wheezing are poorly endorsed. Research is needed to identify approaches to guideline implementation that are specific for primary care. Clinical research should focus on strengthening recommendations that are currently not embraced. ER treatment protocols need to be updated and adherence to guidelines should be re-evaluated.

Optimal administration of bronchodilators with valved holding chambers in preschool children: a review of literature

Our aim was to synthesize the published literature on factors that potentially affect the delivery of bronchodilators using valved holding chambers (VHC) in preschool children. We also aimed to identify those attributes that are not yet incorporated or clearly stated in the guidelines and those topics that are still lacking sufficient data. There is strong evidence supporting several recommendations in current guidelines. Based on present knowledge, bronchodilators should be delivered by VHC administering each puff separately. Face mask should be omitted as soon as the child can hold the mouthpiece of the VHC tightly between the lips and teeth. Based on the review, we suggest adding a specific note to current guidelines about the effect of chamber volume and the impact of co-operation during drug administration. Calming the child and securing a tight face-to-mask seal is critical for successful drug delivery. There is not enough evidence to make specific recommendations on the most reliable VHC and face mask for children. There is an urgent need for studies that evaluate and compare the effectiveness of VHCs in various clinical settings in wide age-groups and respiratory patterns. In addition, there is insufficient data on ideal chamber volume, material, and effective antistatic treatment. What is Known: • Valved holding chambers (VHC) should not be considered interchangeable when used with pressurized metered dose inhalers (pMDI). • Drug delivery is influenced by VHC volume, aerodynamic and electrostatic properties; mask fit; respiratory pattern and co-operation during inhalation; and the number of puffs actuated. What is New: • The impact of co-operation, VHC volume, and good mask-to-face fit during drug inhalation is not stressed enough in the guidelines. • Studies are urgently needed to evaluate the effectiveness of different VHCs in various clinical settings focusing on VHC electrostatic properties, respiratory patters, face masks, and ideal pMDI+VHC combinations.

In vitro drug delivery performance of five valved holding chambers with and without facemasks

BACKGROUND

Valved holding chambers (VHCs) are essential for efficient pulmonary delivery of inhaled medication in preschool children. The numerous devices in the market vary in material, aerodynamic characteristics, volume, valve properties, and mask design. Drug delivery is affected by the VHC characteristics as well as by the age and breathing pattern of the child.

METHODS

We measured the drug delivery efficacy of five VHCs widely available in the market, evaluated the effect of facemasks and tested the differences between manufacturing lots. A breathing simulator was used to mimic normal (respiratory rate [RR] 25/minute and tidal volume (V_T ) 200 mL) and obstructive (RR 50/minute and V_T 50 mL) breathing of infants and toddlers.

RESULTS

Salbutamol output was significantly higher with a normal breathing pattern compared to the obstructive breathing pattern in most VHCs. Without masks, the differences in the median in vitro filter doses of salbutamol were mainly from 2 to 10-fold among different types of VHCs. With masks, there was a greater than 20-fold difference in drug delivery capacity between the most and least effective devices. Most VHCs had a notable variation of performance between individual devices from different lots within the same brand.

CONCLUSIONS

There was an extreme variation in the salbutamol delivery performance among different types of VHCs for both normal and obstructive pediatric breathing patterns with and without masks. This magnitude of performance variability can have significant and unpredictable clinical implications.

Basic characteristics and clinical value of FeNO in smoking asthmatics-a systematic review

Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) reflects eosinophilic airway inflammation and it can be used to diagnose and phenotype asthma and predict treatment responses. However, smoking decreases FeNO and it is not clear if FeNO has clinical value in smoking subjects with asthma. We conducted a systematic review focusing on four basic characteristics and five clinical questions on using FeNO in smokers with asthma. At least two authors independently screened search results, extracted data and assessed the quality of the included studies. Data were synthesised mainly by qualitative methods. Twenty-two studies were included. FeNO is lower in smoking than in non-smoking asthmatics, but importantly FeNO is higher in untreated smoking asthmatics than in healthy smokers. Information was incomplete but there is some indication that FeNO might be useful in detecting eosinophilic airway inflammation and in diagnosing asthma in smoking subjects. There was no data available to four of the five clinical questions. In conclusion, at the moment there is insufficient data to give specific guidelines on using FeNO in smoking subjects, but although smoking decreases FeNO it does not seem to make FeNO measurement redundant. FeNO is also associated with asthma in smokers and current results encourage conducting clinical trials on FeNO in smokers with asthma.

Valved holding chamber drug delivery is dependent on breathing pattern and device design

Small children with airway obstruction breathe with very low tidal volumes (V_T) and high respiratory rates (RRs). These extreme respiratory patterns affect drug delivery unpredictably through valved holding chambers (VHCs).

We compared in an in vitro study the effectiveness of two VHCs, one small (140 mL, Optichamber Diamond) and one large (350 mL, Babyhaler) without facemasks, to deliver salbutamol to filters positioned between the VHC mouthpieces and a breathing simulator. Different tidal volumes (from 30 mL to 200 mL) and RRs (25·min^-1 and 50·min^-1) were applied through a breathing simulator.

The amount of salbutamol delivered increased with increasing V_T in both VHCs for both RRs (ρ>0.87 and p<0.001 for both devices at both rates). The effect of RR was not as evident, but drug delivery tended to be higher at the higher rate. Drug delivery was significantly higher through the Optichamber Diamond as compared with the Babyhaler at every combination of RR and V_T up to a 12-fold difference.

We found marked differences in salbutamol delivery between the Babyhaler and Optichamber Diamond VHCs. The delivered dose of salbutamol increased with increasing V_T and RR with both VHCs but with differences related to valve dead spaces. Instead of considering all VHCs equal in clinical paediatric practice, each device should be tested in vitro with respiratory patterns relevant to small children with respiratory difficulties.

Children with respiratory problems are treated with inhaled drugs given via valved holding chambers (VHCs). Efficacy can vary up to 12-fold between devices. The effectiveness of VHCs should be tested in all age groups with different respiratory patterns.http://ow.ly/2Aca30mT2Pa

The European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing Synergies: Protocol for a Prospective Observational Study to Measure the Impact of a Community-Based Program on Prevention and Mitigation of Frailty (ICP - PMF) in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Aim of this paper is to describe the protocol of the study "Impact of a Community-based Program on Prevention and Mitigation of Frailty in community-dwelling older adults" developed in the framework of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing. This proposal has been developed by the Partnership Action groups on frailty, fall prevention and polypharmacy in older. The proposal wants to assess the impact of community-based programs aimed to counteract three main outcomes related to frailty: hospitalization, institutionalization and death. Bringing together researchers from seven European countries, the proposal aims to achieve the critical mass and the geographical extension enough to provide information useful to all older European citizens. An observational study will be carried out to calculate the incidence of the different outcomes in relation to the various interventions that will be assessed; results will be compared with data coming from already established national, regional and local dataset using the observed/expected approach. The sample will be made up by at least 2000 citizens for each outcome. All the citizens will be assessed at the baseline with two multidimensional questionnaires: the RISC questionnaire and the Short Functional Geriatric Evaluation questionnaire. The outcomes will be assessed every six-twelve months.

Predictive value of exhaled nitric oxide in the management of asthma: a systematic review

The clinical value of measuring fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) in asthma is not clear. We aimed to assess whether FeNO can reliably predict clinical outcomes in asthma treated with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). We also evaluated whether its predictive role is influenced by different inflammatory phenotypes of asthma.

We conducted a systematic review focusing on five clinically relevant questions. Two authors independently screened search results, extracted data and assessed quality of the included studies. Data were synthesised by qualitative methods.

12 prospective studies were included, answering partly three of the five questions. In steroid-naïve asthma, a high FeNO level probably predicts good response to ICS. In ICS-treated asthmatics, a low FeNO level probably predicts low risk of exacerbation, and the patient is unlikely to benefit from increasing ICS dose. There were scarce data to conclude whether FeNO predicts exacerbations when ICS treatment is stopped in well-controlled asthma. Only one study reported results separately in different asthma phenotypes.

The current evidence on the predictive value of FeNO and its role in the management of asthma is incomplete. Future studies should focus on clinically meaningful questions and probably target only eosinophilic phenotypes where FeNO is best associated with the activity of airway inflammation.

Oral prednisolone in the acute management of children age 6 to 35 months with viral respiratory infection-induced lower airway disease: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the efficacy of oral prednisolone in virally induced respiratory distress. Study design Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 230 children age 6 to 35 months in the emergency department. Each patient received either oral prednisolone (2 mg/kg/d) or placebo for 3 days.

RESULTS

The hospitalization rates were similar between the two groups. For admitted children (n=123), the median length of stay was 1 day shorter in the prednisolone group (2 vs 3 days, P=.060). The proportion of children requiring >or=3 days of hospitalization was 47.5% in the prednisolone group and 67.7% in the placebo group (P=.023). There was less need for additional asthma medication (18.0% vs 37.1%, P=.018) in the prednisolone group. The median duration of symptoms of respiratory distress was 1 day in the prednisolone group versus 2 days in the placebo group both among the hospitalized (P<.001) and nonhospitalized children (P=.006).

CONCLUSION

A 3-day course of oral prednisolone effectively reduced disease severity, length of hospital stay, and the duration of symptoms among children 6 to 35 months old with virally induced respiratory distress.

Wheezing in early life and asthma at school age: predictors of symptom persistence

Early childhood wheezing is associated with asthma later in life. However, the high spontaneous recovery rate and the lack of firm predictors for persistence of wheezing complicates the development of evidence-based guidelines for long-term management of wheezy infants and toddlers. Our aim was to define variables that could be used to identify wheezy individuals younger than 3 years of age who would continue to be symptomatic at school age. The method used was a questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey of 2,027 randomly chosen, 6-13-year-old school children. Altogether 1,829 (90%) questionnaires were returned. Emergency medical care had been sought for 186 (10.2%) children for wheezing during the first 3 years of life, and only 17.2% of these children had received similar emergency treatment during the 12 months preceding the survey. The total proportion of children with current asthma at school age was 11.4%. A logistic regression analysis indicated that for the early wheezers, a family history of asthma, an itchy rash or food allergy, and exposure to tobacco smoke at home before the age of 3 years, were all independently associated with symptom persistence until school age. Among all wheezy children younger than 3 years, those who have a history of food allergy, itchy rash, asthma occurrence in a sibling or parent, or are exposed to tobacco smoke during the first years of life are at highest risk for symptom persistence until school age.

Corticosteroid therapy and need for hospital care in wheezing preschool children

OBJECTIVES

To study the frequency of corticosteroid therapy and the use of inpatient care for preschool children with wheezing in two regions in Finland.

METHODS

The Finnish Social Insurance Institution database on refundable asthma medication indicated that 1.18% of children in Tampere and 2.37% in Turku used inhaled corticosteroids regularly. To clarify the difference, hospital records of 800 randomly chosen 0.5-6.9-year-old children who had been treated for wheezing in Tampere or Turku University Hospital during 1995-1996 were retrospectively analysed.

RESULTS

The incidences of wheezing-related emergency room (ER) index visits were 11.0 visits/year/1000 children both in Tampere and Turku. Oral corticosteroids were given to 2.5% versus 24.2% of children in ER and 10.6% versus 89.7% in hospital ward in Tampere and Turku, respectively. Hospitalisation rates were 44.8% in Tampere and 36.8% in Turku (95% confidence interval for the difference 1.2-14.8%). In both regions, children with prior inhaled corticosteroid therapy needed less inpatient care. Mean duration of hospitalisation was 3.4 days in Tampere and only 1.4 days in Turku. Recurrent visits in 6 months were more common in Tampere.

CONCLUSIONS

There were marked regional differences in the management of preschool children with wheezing. On a population level, frequent use of corticosteroid therapy was associated with reduced hospital admissions.

Regional variation in the diagnosis of asthma among preschool-age children

To study potential regional variation in asthma diagnostics, we retrospectively analyzed the management of 800 acutely wheezing preschool-age children in two university clinics in Finland. Multivariate modelling indicated that the place of treatment was a strong independent predictor of asthma diagnosis during acute symptoms. Similar regional preferences in diagnostic activity may exist in other countries.