ABSTRACT
Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and economics of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) with Dermatophagoides farinae drops in patients with allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma. Method:Two hundred and three patients (aged 4-60 yr) with allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma induced by house dust mites were retrospectively analyzed. Eighty-six patients were treated by SLIT with standardized Dermatophagoides farina drops and pharmacotherapy (SLIT group), while 117 patients were treated by standardized pharmacotherapy (drug group). Patients were followed up for 2 years with one visit in every 3 months. Total nasal syptom score (TNSS), total rhinitis medicine score (TRMS), daytime asthma syptom score (DASS), nighttime asthma syptom score (NASS), total asthma medicine score (TAMS) and treatment charge were recorded at each visit. Result:There was no significant difference between two groups in TNSS, TRMS, DASS, NASS, TAMS before treatment (all P>0.05). After 1-year or 2-year duration, there were significant differences between the SLIT group and drug group in TNSS, TMSS, DASS, NASS, TAMS (all P<0.01). After 1-year or 2-year duration, the symptom scores and medication scores of SLIT group significantly decreased compared with those before treatment (all P<0.01). In terms of treatment charge, although direct cost of SLIT group was a little higher than that of drug group, the indirect cost of SLIT group was remarkably lower than that of drug group, showing significant difference (P<0.01). Conclusion:SLIT with Dermatophagoides farinae drops is effective in patients with allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma, which may also reduce indirect cost.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To explore the risk factors in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) combining atrial ifbrillation (AF) and to identify the predictive factors for AF recurrence after cardio version. Methods: A total of 246 CHF patients treated in our hospital were divided into 2 groups: CHF+AF (AF) group,n=71 and CHF without AF (Non-AF) group,n=175. The baseline information was recorded. The risk factors for AF occurrence were screened by Logistic regression analysis. There were 66 AF patients with successful cardio verse and they were followed-up for 18 months, the predictors for AF recurrence were studied by Cox regression analysis. Results: The baseline information showed that age, CHF duration, left atria diameter (LAD), the levels of BNP, uric acid and serum creatinine in AF group were all higher than those in Non-AF group, allP<0.05. Logistic regression analysis presented that age (RR=1.89, 95% CI 1.08-3.31,P<0.05), CHF duration (RR=1.35, 95% CI 1.05-1.74,P<0.05), BNP level (RR=1.82, 95% CI 1.30-2.53,P<0.01), LAD (RR=1.51, 95% CI 1.09-2.08,P<0.05) were the risk factors for AF occurrence. Cox regression analysis indicated that BNP level (RR=1.30, 95% CI 1.09-1.54,P<0.01) and LAD (RR=1.74, 95% CI 1.30-2.34, P<0.01) were the predictors for AF recurrence. Conclusion: The elder age, longer CHF duration, increased BNP level and LAD were the risk factors for AF occurrence in CHF patients. The increased BNP level and LAD were the objective predictors for AF recurrence after cardio version.