Search

We aim to identify all relevant findings of studies investigating health literacy in epidemic/pandemic outbreak situations (apart from HIV related research), thematically group them and to subsequently identify knowledge gaps, which can be addressed speedily by future research.

The purpose of this rapid scoping review is to systematically examine how and to what extent health literacy (HL) in health professionals (HPs) has been addressed in research during epidemic and/or pandemic coronavirus (SARS-CoV-1, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2) outbreak situations.

In response to the rapid urbanization and environmental changes along with the simultaneously emerging allergic and inflammatory diseases, there is a need to identify preventive strategies, in particular for highly urbanized settings. It has been hypothesized that contact with natural outdoor environments enriches the human microbiome, resulting in a balanced immune response and counteracting the development of asthma and allergic diseases. The aim of this scoping review is to identify and evaluate available evidence on human interventional trials of exposure to natural environments - or isolated aspects thereof in relation to changes of the commensal microbiome and immunomodulation. Ultimately, this review aims at identifying suitable interventional concepts for strategies preventing incident allergic responses.

The purpose of this scoping review is to provide an account of the research conducted in the field of HL in Health Professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This protocol outlines the anticipated steps needed for the critical appraisal of the methodological quality of existing SRs. We intend to include SRs, that examine the RCT evidence on the timing of introduction of complementary foods and the development of allergies.

This protocol outlines the steps that will be taken to conduct an overview of systematic reviews on the timing of introduction of complementary foods and allergic outcomes.

Prisma-Statement

Background: Eczema, asthma and hay fever are global health problems and their prevalence has increased considerably over the last decades. All appear to share an underlying atopic diathesis but their aetiology is considered to be multifactorial. They have been linked to decreases in health related quality of life (HRQoL) in adults, children/adolescents and/or parents of children. Research also suggests an association of the three conditions with mental health, which in turn is related to HRQoL decreases. We aimed to assess whether the impact of any of the three conditions on HRQoL is modified by presence of mental health problems. Methods: The impact of occurrence of the three conditions within the past four weeks and 12 months on HRQoL, as measured by the ‘Quality of Life in Children – Revised’ (KINDL-R) questionnaire was analysed by use of the complex sample general linear model in a population-based sample (N = 6518) of children and adolescents aged 11 – 17. Analyses were adjusted for the other atopic conditions, sociodemographic and clinical variables and stratified for mental health as measured by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) (normal n = 5697, borderline n = 609, abnormal n = 193). Results: Eczema and hay fever within the past four weeks were significantly associated with decreased total or certain subscales of KINDL-R after adjusting for all other variables when no mental health abnormalities were present while asthma was associated with better HRQoL in these individuals. However, when mental health problems were present, eczema was positively associated with several subscales and the positive impact of asthma was stronger. The presence of mental health problems accentuated the negative relationship between hay fever and HRQoL (stronger negative impact). However, due to decreasing numbers in the group with mental health problems only few associations reached statistical significance. Conclusions: While the results suggest mental health to have a modifying effect on the relationship between some atopic conditions and HRQoL caution needs to be exercised in interpreting the results: First, the groups with borderline or abnormal mental health were comparably smaller than the group with normal mental health. In the group with normal mental health small effects were more likely to become significant than in the other two groups. Secondly some problems regarding the validity of the self-report SDQ still remain.

Background: The most important symptom as well as one of the major diagnostic criteria for eczema is itch. Although oral antihistamines continue to be prescribed for people with eczema, it is unclear if they are effective and safe in relieving itch and skin lesions. We sought to evaluate the available evidence on effectiveness of oral antihistamines (H1 antagonists) as monotherapy in children and adults with eczema. Methods: Searches included 10 databases and trial registers as well as conference proceedings (January 2014). Randomised controlled trials that assessed the effects of oral H1 antihistamines as monotherapy in children and adults with eczema were included. Results: Our searches retrieved 757 references, but no randomised controlled trial met our inclusion criteria. Most studies allowed concomitant treatments, making the assessment of the individual effects of oral H1 antihistamines impossible. Conclusions: There is currently no high-level evidence to support or refute the efficacy or safety of oral H1 antihistamines used as monotherapy for eczema. A further review of studies that assesses the effects of oral H1 antihistamines as ‘add-on’ therapy together with concomitant treatments is warranted to determine the beneficial effects of this group of medications in the treatment of eczema.