Comparison between sensitivity of autologous skin serum test and autologous plasma skin test in patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria for detection of antibody against IgE or IgE receptor [FcepsilonRIalpha]

Intradermal injection of autologous serum and plasma elicit a cutaneous reactivity in almost 45-60% of patients with Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria [CIU]. This reactivity is associated with the presence of auto antibodies against IgE or IgE receptors. This study was carried out to compare the cutaneous reactivity of autologous serum and plasma skin tests in a series of patients with CIU for diagnosis of auto antibodies against IgE or IgE receptor. Fifty eight patients with CIU were injected intradermally with autologous serum and plasma [anticoagulated by citrate]. Histamine was used as positive control and normal saline as negative control. The study group was checked by routine laboratory tests [CBC, U/A etc], allergens with skin prick tests, and serum IgE level, and auto antibodies against thyroid as well. Duration of urticaria was another factor which was assessed. There was no significant difference between positive ASST and positive APST patients for the above mentioned tests. 77.6% of the patients were Positive for APST and 65.5% were ASST positive. Duration of urticaria was longer in patients with positive ASST and APST than ASST and APST negative patients, although the difference was not statistically significant. Autologous serum skin test [ASST] and autologous plasma skin test [APST] could be used for estimation of duration and severity of urticaria and planning for the treatment

Prevalence and correlates of snoring in adolescents

Snoring can occur alone or it may be the presenting feature of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and other common chronic conditions. In our study, we aimed to estimate the prevalence and correlates of snoring in adolescent students in Tehran, Iran. A cross-sectional study was designed and students were selected from 20 secondary and high schools, in 5 different zones in Tehran in order to have a representative sample of the adolescent population. A total of 2900 students [1200 male and 1700 female students] 11-17 year-old who were attending secondary and high schools were investigated. Information was collected via a structured face-to-face interview, based on a questionnaire. In addition to snoring, nocturnal cough, asthma-related symptoms, and daytime symptoms were also questioned. BMI was measured by two trained physicians. The prevalence of snoring was 7.9% [4.8% in girls and 12.4% in boys]. The prevalence of snoring was significantly higher among males [P< 0.05]. Snoring was positively associated with asthma and nocturnal cough. Overweight/obese adolescents had significantly higher rates of snoring and asthma symptoms. Prevalence of daytime symptoms increased significantly in the snoring group. These results suggest that snoring is associated with multiple factors in adolescents. We conclude that the prevalence of snoring is relatively high in children of this region. This highlights the need for awareness among physicians about the problem of sleep-disordered breathing, especially in children with asthma and obesity, and also the need for further studies to measure the prevalence of sleep breathing disorders among Iranians