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Objetives: To evaluate the impact of cholecalciferol (D₃) supplementation using clinical and paraclinical variables in patients with RA and vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency., Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study included patients from 5 to 40 years with a diagnosis of RA and vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency. They were supplemented for 8 weeks with 4000 or 5000 IU, depending on age. Total nasal symptoms score (TNSS) was measured monthly and 25(OH)D₃ levels at baseline and at the end of the study., Results: A total of 31 patients were included, with a mean age of 18.19 years. In the active group, there was a significant improvement in symptomatology with respect to the TNSS score and an increase in serum vitamin D levels (p < 0.01). There were no adverse reactions with cholecalciferol or placebo., Conclusions: Supplementing patients with vitamin D₃, at the evaluated dose, together with conventional treatent for allergic rhinitis results in symptoms and quality of life improvement in patients with this disease., Competing Interests: Los autores declaran no tener conflicto de intereses.

Background: DRESS syndrome (Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms) is an idiosyncratic reaction characterized by peripheral eosinophilia and systemic symptoms: fever, exanthema, lymphadenopathy, hepatitis, atypical lymphocytes and elevated liver enzymes. The incidence is 1 per 10,000 exposures, mortality 10-20%. Treatment is based on suspension of the suspected drug and steroids., Case Report: A 42-year-old male with the following important antecedents. AHF: mother and father with Diabetes Mellitus type 2. APP: Arterial Hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus type 2, and bee sting allergy. Current Condition: He started 8 days after ingestion of hydroxychloroquine for probable SARS-COV-2 infection, with headache, facial and neck edema, desquamative dermatosis on trunk and upper extremities, went to private clinic with torpid evolution sent to third level for increased facial and neck edema, which merited orotracheal intubation, management with intravenous steroids and antihistamines., Labs on Admission: Leukocytes 20090, platelets 322 thousand, eosinophilia (5%), elevated liver enzymes and acute kidney injury, fulfilling J-SCAR criteria. The patient was discharged due to adequate evolution with follow-up by Allergy and Clinical Immunology, the patient persists with desquamative lesions after 4 weeks and normalization of laboratory parameters., Conclusions: DRESS is a delayed adverse reaction. It is important the diagnostic presumption and the causal relationship with the drugs due to the high mortality rate., (Este obra está bajo una licencia de Creative Commons Reconocimiento-NoComercial 4.0 Internacional.)

Objectives: To confirm the presence of allergy to penicillin and amoxicillin by in vivo exposure tests in patients with a history of immediate reaction to these drugs. Methods: Observational, cross-sectional, descriptive and prolective study. Patients between 12 and 60 years old with a history of immediate reaction after administration of penicillin and/or amoxicillin were included. Skin prick and intradermal tests were performed with benzylpenicilloyl polylysine and penicillin G, as well as oral challenge with amoxicillin., Results: Ten female and 3 male patients were included. The mean age was 39 years. In 84.6% of the cases the last adverse drug reaction occurred 10 years ago and in all cases it manifested with urticaria. Allergy to penicillin was corroborated in only 38.4% of cases. The most frequent adverse reaction after in vivo exposure tests was pruritus in 23%., Conclusions: Patients with suspected penicillin allergy should be evaluated by in vivo exposure testing with major and minor determinants to corroborate or rule out allergic reactions and improve treatment conditions., (Este obra está bajo una licencia de Creative Commons Reconocimiento-NoComercial 4.0 Internacional.)

Background: The most commonly reported antibiotic allergy is penicillin. The false label of "allergy" to penicillin negatively affects the patient's quality of life and medical care., Objective: To determine the frequency of allergy to penicillin and amoxicillin by in vivo exposure tests in patients with a history of immediate reaction to this class of medicinal products., Methods: Observational, cross-sectional, descriptive and prolective study in patients between 12 and 60 years of age with a history of immediate reaction to penicillin and/or amoxicillin. Prick and intradermal skin tests were performed with benzylpenicilloyl polylysine (Pre-Pen), penicillin G and oral challenge test with amoxicillin. The frequency of positivity and negativity in these tests was calculated with a 95% CI. Results were analyzed in Epi info 7.2.5.0., Results: In total 13 patients (10 women) were included, with a mean age of 39 years (SD 12.14). In 84.6% the last adverse drug reaction occurred 10 years ago and in all manifested with urticaria. The 38.4% confirmed penicillin allergy and the most frequent adverse reaction after in vivo tests was pruritus., Conclusions: The clinical history alone is not sufficient, all patients with suspected penicillin allergy should be evaluated by in vivo exposure tests with major and minor determinants to corroborate or rule out allergy to this pharmacological class., (Este obra está bajo una licencia de Creative Commons Reconocimiento-NoComercial 4.0 Internacional.)

An increasing number of studies are analyzing the relationship between serum vitamin D levels and the development of sensitization and allergic diseases in genetically predisposed individuals, as well as the impact of vitamin D supplementation. This article reviews the literature on this subject. Clinical trials, meta-analyses and systematic reviews consulted in PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Ovid, Wiley Online Library, Springer, Cochrane and manual resources were included, with the keywords: vitamin D, 25 hydroxyvitamin D, cholecalciferol, asthma, rhinitis, allergy, 25-OH-D, 1,25 hydroxyvitamin D, supplementation. The results show a positive linear trend, however, differ. We should keep in mind that in the studies there is heterogeneity of population groups and associated factors, which may modify such studies. It is necessary to increase research to clarify this relationship and to have successful interventions from the patient's approach to the strengthening of pharmacological and immunological treatment of allergic patients with these diseases.

Background: Allergen-specific immunotherapy is an important therapeutic modality for the management of allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma., Objective: To assess the effectiveness and safety of allergen-specific subcutaneous immunotherapy in patients with respiratory allergies at the University Hospital of Puebla after twelve months of treatment., Methods: A longitudinal, sequential, analytic, quasi-experimental, prolective study. The study was carried out for twelve months with patients of both sexes, aged four to sixty-five years, diagnosed with asthma and/or rhinitis, and with sensitization to aeroallergens. The CARAT and Portnoy questionnaires were collected every two months in order to assess the effectiveness and safety respectively., Results: 47 patients were included: 37 (78.7 %) of them were female. The average age was 29.8 years. 76.6 % of them were diagnosed with allergic rhinitis, and 23.4 % of them were diagnosed with both asthma and allergic rhinitis. The comparison of averages of the initial CARAT questionnaire against the final average by means of a student's t-test showed a t-value of -8.86 and a p-value of < 0.05. A total frequency of local adverse reactions of 19 % and systemic adverse reactions of 2.1 % was reported after 6 and 12 months of treatment., Conclusions: The assessed scheme of immunotherapy, derived from the Mexican clinical practice guidelines of immunotherapy 2011, is effective with a desirable safety profile.

The health and economic impact of allergic diseases are increasing rapidly, and changes in management strategies are required. Its influence reduces the capacity of work and school performance by at least a third. The ICPs of the airways (integrated care pathways for respiratory diseases) are structured multidisciplinary healthcare plans, promoting the recommendations of the guidelines in local protocols and their application to clinical practice. This document presents an executive summary for Argentina, Mexico, and Spain. Next-generation ARIA guidelines are being developed for the pharmacological treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR), using the GRADE-based guidelines for AR, tested with real-life evidence provided by mobile technology with visual analogue scales. It is concluded that in the AR treatment, H1-antihistamines are less effective than intranasal corticosteroids (INCS), in severe AR the INCS represent the first line of treatment, and intranasal combination INCS + anti-H1 is more effective than monotherapy. However, according to the MASK real-life observational study, patients have poor adherence to treatment and often self-medicate, according to their needs.

Background: Specific immunotherapy is a treatment aimed at modifying the course of the allergic disease, with which important immunological and clinical changes are achieved., Objective: To assess the effectiveness and safety of subcutaneous immunotherapy in patients diagnosed with respiratory allergies in the University Hospital of Puebla, Mexico., Methods: A longitudinal, analytic, quasi-experimental study. The study was carried out with patients aged four to sixty-five years, diagnosed with allergic rhinitis or asthma, with sensitization to aeroallergens, in whom immunotherapy was started. For the effectiveness assessment, the Control of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Test (CARAT) was used. Safety was assessed through Portnoy's Questionnaire Survey of Adverse Reactions., Results: 59 patients were included: 72.9% were female; 23.7% of them were diagnosed with allergic rhinitis and asthma, and 76.3% were diagnosed with allergic rhinitis. The comparison of averages of the CARAT questionnaire at the beginning of the treatment and after four months of follow up showed a statistically significant positive development. An incidence of adverse local reactions of 9.03% was found; no adverse systemic reactions were reported., Conclusions: The assessed scheme of subcutaneous immunotherapy got to significantly decrease the asthma symptoms and AR symptoms, with a desirable safety profile.

Although there are high quality clinical guidelines about allergic rhinitis, many patients receive deficient treatment, partly due to the high level of self-medication. MASK (Mobile Airways Sentinel Network) is an integral part of a project against chronic diseases which it is focused on active and healthy aging and is supported by the European Union. It forms the third phase of ARIA (Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma) in which, through a mobile app on a smart device, the purpose is to guide patients in the control of their multimorbidity, allergic rhinitis or conjunctivitis, or asthma. The "Allergy Diary" app by MACVIA-ARIA is free and it is available for Android and iOS; on it, patients indicate how unpleasant the symptoms are on a daily basis through five screens with an analogous visual scale; two more screens were recently added (sleep affectation). With the app, it is also possible to download the information of the "Allergy Diary" on the physician's computer through a QR code at the moment of the medical consultation. In this article, we review the first year of experience in Spain, Mexico and Argentina, where the Spanish version is used.

Background: The skin prick test is recognized as the gold standard for the specific diagnosis of allergy., Objective: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of the epicutaneous patch test that has been modified for the diagnosis of respiratory allergy to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus., Methods: An observational, interpretative, prolective, and transversal study. The included patients were between 6 and 49 years old, with symptoms of a respiratory allergy, and a skin test was performed on them by using the European standardized prick test and a modified epicutaneous patch test with the variable of the scarification that occurred before the antigen was applied, and its homogenization with a wooden applicator, which occurred after the antigen was applied. The levels of sensitivity, specificity, and prevalence influence and positive and negative predictive values were calculated., Results: 104 patients were included, of which 72 (69.2%) were women. The age category of the patients was 24 ± 11.3 years of age. 78.9% of the patients were diagnosed with allergic rhinitis, 1.9% were diagnosed with asthma, and 19.2% were diagnosed with both rhinitis and asthma. The prevalence of the respiratory allergy to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus was of 62.5%; 94.23% with a correct diagnosis. The sensitivity and specificity of the test was of 93.85% and 94.87%; the positive and negative predictive values were of 96.83% and 90.24%, and the positive and negative likelihood ratios were of 18.30 and 0.06., Conclusions: The modified epicutaneous patch test was highly sensitive and specific; it decreased the risk of allergen carryover and it lowered the cost of the material that was used.

Spirometry is a pulmonary function test that allows screening, diagnosis and monitoring of respiratory diseases. This is a simple, non-invasive test that is easy to perform. By quantifying the respiratory volumes and flows, such as forced vital capacity (FVC) or forced expiratory volume in six seconds (FEV6), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), and the relationship between these parameters (FEV1/FVC or FEV1/FEV6 ratio), obstruction can be detected with high sensitivity and specificity; likewise, it is possible to classify the severity and response to the bronchodilator. This article presents indications, contraindications, and basic concepts for the interpretation of spirometry.

Background: In Mexico, allergen immunotherapy (AIT) and immunotherapy with hymenoptera venom (VIT) is traditionally practiced combining aspects of the European and American school. In addition, both types of extracts (European and American) are commercially available in Mexico. Moreover, for an adequate AIT/VIT a timely diagnosis is crucial. Therefore, there is a need for a widely accepted, up-to-date national immunotherapy guideline that covers diagnostic issues, indications, dosage, mechanisms, adverse effects and future expectations of AIT (GUIMIT 2019)., Method: With nationwide groups of allergists participating, including delegates from postgraduate training-programs in Allergy/Immunology-forming, the guideline document was developed according to the ADAPTE methodology: the immunotherapy guidelines from European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, German Society for Allergology and Clinical Immunology, The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology were selected as mother guidelines, as they received the highest AGREE-II score among international guidelines available; their evidence conforms the scientific basis for this document., Results: GUIMIT emanates strong or weak (suggestions) recommendations about practical issues directly related to in vivo or in vitro diagnosis of IgE mediated allergic diseases and the preparation and application of AIT/VIT and its adverse effects. GUIMIT finishes with a perspective on AIT modalities for the future. All the statements were discussed and voted on until > 80 % consensus was reached., Conclusions: A wide and diverse group of AIT/VIT experts issued transculturized, evidence-based recommendations and reached consensus that might improve and standardize AIT practice in Mexico.

The vast majority of patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) do not receive the proper management which is recommended by the guidelines, but they frequently self-medicate. MASK (Mobile Airways Sentinel Network) is an integral part of a project that is supported by the European Union against chronic diseases and focused on active and healthy aging. MASK represents the third phase of ARIA (Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma), in which, by using a mobile application in a smart device, the objective is to guide the patient in the control of his/her multi-morbidity, AR and/or allergic conjunctivitis (AC) and/or asthma. The mobile app Allergy Diary by MACVIA-ARIA is free and it is available for both Android and iOS platforms. After it is downloaded to the patient's cell phone, it first requests some information about the patient's profile, allergic pathologies and medication; afterwards, through a visual analog scale, the patient is invited to determine the degree of affectation in the nose, eyes, and bronchi, and its influence on their productivity at work / school. After analyzing the data generated by filling the Allergy Diary, it became clear there is a new clinical entity: allergic rhinitis+ allergic conjunctivitis +asthma, with greater effect; in addition to a high level of self-medication: in general, the patient takes medication on days when symptoms are present. The app has already been deployed in 23 countries, including several Spanish-speaking countries.

Background: Food allergy is deemed to have a worldwide prevalence ranging from 2 to 10 %., Objective: To determine the frequency of skin reactivity to food allergens by age groups., Methods: Cross-sectional, descriptive, prolective, observational study. Patients aged from 2 to 64 years with symptoms consistent with allergic disease were included. Skin prick tests were carried out with food allergens. Frequencies and percentages were estimated., Results: One-hundred and ninety-one patients were included, out of which 63.4% were females. Mean age was 22.5 years; 19.3 % showed positive skin reactivity to at least one food. Distribution by age group was as follows: preschool children 13.5 %, schoolchildren 24.3 %, adolescents 2.7 % and adults 59.5 %. Diagnoses included allergic rhinitis in 84.3 %, asthma in 19.4 %, urticaria in 14.1 % and atopic dermatitis in 8.4 %. Positive skin reactivity frequency distribution in descending order was: soybeans with 5.2 %, peach with 4.7 %, grapes, orange and apple with 3.6 %, nuts with 3.1 %, pineapple, avocado, tomato and tuna with 2.6 %., Conclusion: The frequency of skin reactivity to food allergens was similar to that reported in the national and Latin American literature, but sensitization to each specific allergen varied for each age group.

Background: Allergic diseases diagnosis must be based on adequate allergological anamnesis and an immunological sensitization test; the most sensitive and specific is the skin prick test., Objective: To determine the frequency of skin reactivity to aeroallergens, by age groups, in patients of the Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology of the Hospital Universitario de Puebla, in Mexico., Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted that included patients aged 2 to 64 years with symptoms suggestive of allergic disease, in which skin prick tests with aeroallergens were performed; the diagnostic criteria were those of international guidelines. Frequencies, percentages and dispersion measures were calculated., Results: Of 173 patients, 63 % were females. Mean age was 22.3 years. The frequency of skin reactivity for Quercus sp. was 12.72 %, for Periplaneta americana, 9.83 %, for Dermatophagoides farinae, 9.25 %, for Cynodon dactylon, 8.09 %, for Blatella germanica, 8.09 %, for Holcus halepensis, 6.94 %, for Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, 6.36 %, for Schinus molle, 5.78 %, for Fraxinus uhdei, 5.20 %, for Lolium perenne, 5.20 %, for Ambrosia eliator, 5.20 % and for Artemisa tridentata, 4.62 %., Conclusion: Although Dermatophagoides are the most frequently reported aeroallergens, the most common aeroallergen in this study was pollen, probably owing to geographical and environmental factors, although this was not observed in the analysis by age groups.