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Autologous serum eye drops provide lubrication and promote epithelial healing. They have been successfully used in the management of ocular surface disorders such as dry eye disease, persistent epithelial defects and neurotrophic keratopathy for many decades. A great deal of variation in the methods of preparation of autologous serum eye drops, the end concentration and the duration of use exists in published literature. In this review, simplified recommendations for preparation, transport, storage and use of autologous serum are described. Evidence for the use of this modality in aqueous deficient dry eye disease is summarized, along with expertise-based rationale.
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Purpose: The objective of the study was to compare the efficacy and safety of two concentration of autologous serum (AS) 20% vs 50% in recalcitrant moderate?to?severe dry eye patients. Methods: A double?blind prospective, interventional, and randomized study was done on 44 patients (80 eyes) clinically diagnosed with moderate?to?severe dry eye disease (DED) that was refractory to conventional treatment, and all patients were treated with AS20% or AS50% for 12 weeks. We documented Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), tear film breakup time (TBUT), OXFORD corneal staining score (OSS), and Schirmer test (ST) at baseline, 2,4,8, and 12 weeks. These parameters were compared in both groups and between the groups by using Student’s t?test. The study included 11 males and 33 females. Results: Out of 80 eyes, 33 eyes had moderate and 47 had severe DED. The age of patients in AS20% was 44.73 ± 14.37 years, and in AS50% was 46.41 ± 14.47 years. The most common etiology associated with DED was secondary Sjogren syndrome. In moderate DED, both the groups showed significant improvement in both subjective and objective parameters. But in severe DED, the AS20% group failed to show any significant improvement objectively, though subjective improvement was present. Conclusion: In refractory severe DED patients, AS50% is better option for treatment and in moderate DED both concentrations of autologous serum are effective.
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Autologous serum skin test (ASST) is commonly used as a screening test to assess immune subtypes of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) in clinical practice, but its immunological mechanisms and associations with clinical features and prognosis of CSU are not yet clear. Studies have shown that positive ASST is associated with increased immunoglobulin G autoantibodies, decreased eosinophil and basophil counts, increased CD63 expression on basophils, and changes in circulating inflammatory cytokine levels in CSU patients, but not associated with age, disease duration, and personal or family history of CSU patients, and may be a predictor of severity of chronic urticaria. ASST-positive patients may respond poorly to second-generation H1 antihistamines, slowly to omalizumab, but respond well to cyclosporine and autologous whole blood/serum injections. This review summarizes the immunological and clinical characteristics of ASST-positive patients, and discusses the predictive value of positive ASST for the efficacy of different treatment regimens.
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Objective:To observe the treatment effect of 25-gauge pars plana vitretomy with the inverted internal limiting membrane (ILM) flap and autologous serum coverage in high myopia macular hole (HMMH) eyes.Methods:17 patients (17 eyes) with HMMH were selected from the Affiliated Hospital of Chinese Medicine Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from June 2019 to March 2020. The minimum diameter of macular hole in all patients was ≤500 μm. They were diveded into group A (10 eyes) and group B (7 eyes) according to the random number table method. The group A underwent 25-gauge pars plana vitretomy + inverted ILM falp technique + autologous serum coverage; The group B (5 eyes) underwent 25-gauge pars plana vitretomy with ILM peeling technique. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) before and after surgey and the macualr hole closure rates were observed.Results:There was no significant difference in BCVA between the two groups before operation and at 6 months after operation ( P>0.05); The postoperative macular hole closure rate was 8/10 in group A and 4/7 in group B. There was no significant difference in macular hole closure rate between the two groups ( P>0.05); The BCVA of the two groups at the last follow-up after operation was significantly higher than that before operation ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Vitrectomy combined with inverted ILM falp technique is a safe and effective method in the treatment of high myopia macular hole with diameter ≤500 μm.
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Low back pain due to degeneration of intervertebral disc (IVD) is a major health problem resulting insignificant disability as well as adding to the economic burden. Discectomy is a very common procedure doneworldwide to relieve this pain. At present all the surgically removed disc tissue is mostly discarded. However,there are reports that state that progenitor cells in the IVD can be grown ex vivo and have the potential to beused for IVD repair and regeneration. We report here that viable cells can be harvested from surgicallyremoved, herniated disc tissue and can be potentially used in cell based therapy. Further, we have successfullyreplaced xenogenic supplements such as foetal bovine serum with either autologous serum or human plateletlysate for culturing IVD cells from patient’s surgically removed disc tissue, without loss of any cell characteristics, including cell surface markers, growth factor secretion in the conditioned medium and osteogenic andchondrogenic differentiation potential in vitro. The present work will not only contribute to overcoming someof the major barriers in carrying out human clinical trials, but also provide a cheap, alternate source of proteinsand growth factors for growing IVD cells ex vivo for therapy
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@#Autoimmune chronic spontaneous urticaria (aiCSU) is characterized by the presence of anti-FceR1 and anti-IgE autoantibodies. In this study we aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of bilastine versus cetirizine in aiCSU.
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@#AIM: To compare the effect of using autologous serum and deproteinised calf serum eye gel in the treatment of corneal alkali burn through establishing corneal alkali burn models. <p>METHODS: Alkali burn model of cornea was established on the right eyes by putting the filter paper with 1.0mol/L NaOH on the center cornea for 1min in 30 white rabbits. The model rabbits were divided randomly into 3 groups after scoring based on Hughes criteria. Normal saline, calf blood deproteinized eye gel and autologous serum eye drops 4 times/day, atropine eye gel 1 times/night, ofloxacin eye gel 1 times/night for 2wk respectively. The morphology of corneal neovascularization was observed on the 7 and 14d, and the area was calculated. On the 14d, the corneas of each group were removed and routine histopathological examinations were performed according to the groups. The concentration of CD45, IL-10, IFN-γ and VEGF in corneal homogenate were determined. <p>RESULTS:Area of corneal neovascularization: on the 7 and 14d, the area of corneal neovascularization of Group DCS(29.48±2.27, 34.19±2.67mm2), AS(34.19±2.67, 33.89±2.74mm2)(<i>P</i>>0.05). Concentration of CD45, IL-10, IFN-γ, VEGF in cornea homogenate(pg/mL): on the 14th day, the concentration of CD45 Group DCS(0.56±0.04ng/mL), AS(0.54±0.05ng/mL)<Group Ctrl(1.27±0.07ng/mL)(<i>P</i><0.05). The concentration of IL-10 Group AS(452.49±11.40pg/mL)>Group DCS>(332.49±13.67pg/mL)>Group Ctrl(111.05±6.95pg/mL)(<i>P</i><0.05). The Concentration of IFN-γ Group DCS(23.20±2.89pg/mL), AS(22.61±2.72pg/mL)<Group Ctrl(41.77±4.26pg/mL). They have a significant difference(<i>P</i><0.05). The concentration of VEGF Group DCS(151.14±18.21pg/mL), AS(149.11±14.75pg/mL)<Group Ctrl(391.35±28.59pg/mL)(<i>P</i><0.05). <p>CONCLUSION:AS has the same effect as DCS in inhibiting the release of inflammatory factors(CD45, IFN-gamma and VEGF)and the formation of corneal neovascularization after alkali burn in rabbits, and AS has the strongest effect in promoting the release of anti-inflammatory factors(IL-10)and inhibiting the infiltration of inflammatory cells, followed by DCS.
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We present the case of a 52-year-old woman referred to our service because of extreme ocular surface dryness. The patient showed corneal, conjunctival, and eyelid manifestations of ocular congenital erythropoietic porphyria (CEP). We started treatment with autologous serum, topical steroids, and cyclosporine twice a day, topical retinoids, and intense corneal lubrication. The patient referred significant improvement of ocular bothering and less discomfort since treatment was initiated. We describe the management of the herewith presented case of ocular CEP.
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Objective To explore the clinical effect of targeted soft channel intracranial hematoma drainage combined with urokinase and autologous serum on hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage.Methods Form October 2016 to October 2017,120 patients with hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage were selected as the research objects in Handan First Hospital.In accordance with the principle of random number rule,they were divided into two groups,60 cases in each group,the study group was given directional soft channel with autologous serum treatment,the control group was given directional soft channel joint urokinase for treatment of intracranial hematoma drainage,and then nerve function,clinical curative effect,inflammatory factors and endothelial function of two groups were compared.Results Before treatment,the National Institutes of HealthStroke Scale (NIHSS) score of the study group and the control group were (4.70±0.99) and (4.71 ± 1.02),after treatment were (9.57± 1.54) and (6.63 ± 1.35),respectively.The difference between the two groups before treatment was not statistically significant (t =0.054,P =0.957).After treatment,the NIHSS scores of patients in both groups were significantly higher than those before treatment (Study group t =20.605,P=0.000,Control group t =8.790,P =0.000),The NIHSS score of the study group was significantly higher than that of the control group and the difference was statistically significant (t=11.120,P=0.000).Before treatment,Interleukin-6 (I1-6) in the study group and the control group were(45.61 ±4.13) ng/L and (44.98±2.19) ng/L,after treatment were (13.72±2.19) ng/L and (26.17±2.51) ng/L,respectively,and the two groups before treatment showed no significant difference (t =0.065,P =0.948).After treatment,IL-6 in both the study group and the control group decreased significantly (Studygroup t =52.841,P =0.000,Control group t =43.740,P =0.000),and IL-6 in the study group was significantly lower than that in the control group (t =28.951,P=0.000).Before treatment,the Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-αt) of the study group and the control group were (63.01 ± 4.22) μg/L and (62.96 ± ±4.21) μg/L,after treatment were (40.92 ± 3.12) μg/L and (55.67.4.02) μg/L,respectively.The difference between the two groups before treatment was not statistically significant (t =0.065,P =0.948).TNF-α in both the study group and the control group significantly decreased after treatment (Study group t=32.604,P=0.000,Control group t=9.933,P=0.000).TNF-α in the study group was significantly lower than the control group (t =22.453,P=0.000).Before treatment,the nitric oxide of the study group and the control group were (33.46±4.27) μmol/L and(32.97±4.25) μmol/L,after treatment were(54.15±3.11) μmoL/L and (43.17± 3.22) μmol/L.No statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups before treatment (t =0.630,P =0.530).After treatment,nitric oxide was significantly increased in both the study group and the control group (Study group t =30.339,P =0.000,Control group t =14.818,P =0.000).Nitric oxide in the study group was significantly higher than that in the control group (t =18.999,P=0.000).Before treatment,the Endothelin-1 of the study group and the control group before and after treatment were (84.43±4.22) μg/L and (84.51±4.26) μg/L,after treatment were(57.47±5.07) μg/L and (70.14±5.12) μg/L.There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups before the treatment (t =0.335,P =0.738).After the treatment,endothelin-1 in both the study group and the control group was significantly reduced (Study group t =22.889,P =0.000,Control groupt =10.662,P =0.000),and endothelin-1 in the study group was significantly lower than that in the control group (t =9.226,P =0.000).The total effective rate of the study group after treatment was 88.33％ (53/60),significantlyhigher than that of the control group (73.33％) (44/60).The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (x2 =4.357,P =0.037).Conclusion Targeted soft channel intracranial hematoma drainage combined with autologous serum was effective in the treatment of hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage,which is worthy of clinical application.
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@#AIM: To investigate the efficacy of autologous serum combined with recombinant human epidermal growth factor in repairing of corneal defect after corneal foreign body eliminating operation.<p>METHODS: Totally 92 patients with corneal foreign body(110 affected eyes)as the research object in our hospital from October 2015 to March 2016. All the patients were divided into the treatment group and the control group according to the random number table. There was no significant difference between the two groups in age, sex and disease course. Both groups received corneal foreign body elimination by slit lamp. The treatment group was given eye drops containing epidermal growth factor combined autologous serum and tobramycin after surgery, while the control group was only administrated with epidermal growth factor and tobramycin. Treatment effects were compared 1wk after treatment.<p>RESULTS: One week after the treatment, the cure rate in the treatment group(96.4%)was much higher than that in the control group(78.2%). Two days after treatment, the fluorescein staining in the treatment group was 98.2%, it was higher than that in the control group(83.6%). The concentration of TNF-α and IL-6 of the treatment group was lower than that in the control group. One week after the treatment, AS-OCT images showed that the repair of corneal matrix in the treatment group was closer to the preoperative normal level.<p>CONCLUSION: The treatment effect that AS combined rhEGF is much better than that only usde rhEGF, shortened healing time of corneal epithelial wound. It is more effective and security to treat traumatic corneal epithelial defect, better repair function to corneal matrix.
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@#AIM: To study the effect of autologous serum in corneal epithelial healing after photorefractive keratectomy(PRK).<p>METHODS:Forty eyes from 20 myopic and myopic-astigmatic patients(9 male and 11 female)were included in this study. One eye of each patient was randomized to receive 20% autologous serum in artificial tears(study group)and one eye received conventional artificial tears(control group). An 8 mm alcohol well was placed centrally in all 40 eyes, and 20% alcohol was applied for 20s during PRK operation. Patients were followed up daily until epithelial closure, and at 1mo, 6mo, and 12mo. Time to epithelial healing was the main outcome measure. Uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA), manifest refraction, and haze were recorded.<p>RESULTS: The mean preoperative myopic spherical non-cycloplegic(dry)retinoscopy was not significantly different between two groups. The mean pain score in the study group was significantly lower than the control group on days 1, 2 and 3(<i>P</i><0.05). The mean horizontal and vertical epithelial defects in the study group was lower than in the control group in all follow up exams on days 1 and 3(<i>P</i><0.05). The mean total time to epithelial healing in the study group was about 0.7d less than in the control group(3.15±0.366d<i> vs</i> 3.85±0.587d, <i>P</i>=0.00).<p>CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that using autologous serum eye drops, by accelerating corneal epithelial healing and reducing the pain, which improves recovery time in visual acuity and reduces discomfort, haziness and infection risk after PRK.
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@#AIM: To observe the clinical efficacy of olopatadine eye drops combined with autologous serum in the treatment of artemisia pollen allergic conjunctivitis.<p>METHODS:Totally 305 patients with 610 eyes with allergic conjunctivitis and positive allergen test results of artemisia in our hospital were selected from June 2016 to June 2018, and randomly divided into the control group and the observation group. Patients in the control group were treated with olopatadine eye drops. Patients in the observation group were treated with autologous serum on the basis of the control group. Patients in both groups were treated continuously for 2wk. The total scores of symptoms and signs and clinical efficacy of the two groups were compared before and 2wk after treatment, and the adverse reactions during the treatment were observed. <p>RESULTS: Before treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in the total score of symptoms and signs between the two groups(<i>P</i>>0.05). Two weeks after treatment, the total score of symptoms and signs in the observation group was lower than that in the control group(<i>P</i><0.05), and the clinical efficacy of the observation group was better than that of the control group(<i>P</i><0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups(<i>P</i>>0.05). <p>CONCLUSION: Olopatadine eye drops combined with autologous serum in the treatment of artemisia pollen allergic conjunctivitis has a definite clinical effect, which can effectively relieve the clinical symptoms and signs of patients with high security.
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@#AIM: To investigate the clinical efficacy of anterior stromal puncture(ASP)for the corneal epithelial cells dysfunction(CED).<p>METHODS: Sixteen patients with CED underwent ASP in Wuhan Union Hospital from September 2015 to December 2015 were included. Uncorrected visual acuity, ocular surface disease index(OSDI), corneal fluorescence staining, corneal epithelial thickness, full corneal thickness, corneal subepithelial dendritic cell density, corneal endothelial cell density and corneal epithelial nerve density were observed and recorded at preoperative, 1mo and 3mo postoperatively, respectively.<p>RESULTS: Totally 16 patients compared with preoperatively, there was a significant increase in uncorrected visual acuity and corneal epithelial nerve density(<i>P</i><0.05)or a significant decrease in OSDI, corneal fluorescence staining, corneal epithelial thickness, full corneal thickness and corneal subepithelial dendritic cell density(<i>P</i><0.05)at 1mo postoperatively; while there was no significant difference in corneal endothelial cell density(<i>P</i>>0.05). And compared with 1mo postoperatively, there was a significant decrease in corneal subepithelial dendritic cell density(<i>P</i><0.05)and a significant increase in corneal epithelial nerve density(<i>P</i><0.05)at 3mo postoperatively, while there was no significant difference in uncorrected visual acuity, OSDI, corneal fluorescence staining, corneal epithelial thickness, full corneal thickness and corneal endothelial cell density(<i>P</i>>0.05).<p>CONCLUSION: ASP was effective for CED. Corneal confocal microscopy was essential for the evaluation of ASP efficacy, which can guide the clinical work better and establish the termination of intervention.
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In Korea, demand for autologous serum eye drops (ASEs) is increasing for treatment of severe dry eye diseases. However, since the MFDS (Ministry of Food and Drug Safety) does not have guidelines for use of ASEs, they are manufactured according to their own protocols by each medical institution. ASEs should be taken with caution to avoid contamination during the manufacturing process since blood must be used as a raw material and must be prepared in an open space. In this paper, we briefly review reports on ASEs and share our experience with the introduction of ASE manufacturing protocols at Severance hospital.
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Eye Diseases , Korea , Ophthalmic SolutionsABSTRACT
Antecedentes: Se ha incrementado la evidencia que demuestra la conexión entre la diferencia/insuficiencia de Vitamina D con aumento de la incidencia, severidad y actividad de trastornos inmunes-inflamatorios. La urticaria crónica es un trastorno de la piel caracterizado por ronchas recurrentes durante más de 6 semanas, y se divide en espontánea o inducible por estímulos físicos. El objetivo principal del siguiente trabajo fue estudiar la relación que pueden tener los niveles de Vitamina D en suero de pacientes con diagnóstico de urticaria crónica espontánea (UCE) que asisten al Servicio de Alergia e Inmunología del Hospital Nacional de Clínicas y compararlos con un grupo control de pacientes sin urticaria. Material y Métodos: Es un estudio descriptivo, prospectivo en donde se estudiaron 27 pacientes con diagnóstico de urticaria crónica espontánea. Luego de confeccionar Historia Clínica compatible con el diagnóstico, se les otorgó un test (UAS7) para evaluar la gravedad de la enfermedad, se realizaron prubeas cutáneas con aeroalergénos y alimentos, se realizó test intradérmico de suero autólogo, laboratorio que incluía además el hemograma, el perfil tiroideo y hepático, serología para virus (Hepatitis B y C, VDRL y HIV), se dosaron niveles de Ig A, G, M, E, y de Vitamina D (D2+D3) a todos los pacientes para luego analizar los resultados y comparar con un grupo control de 16 adultos sanos. Resultados: Hubo diferencias significativas entre los valores séricos de Vitamina D del grupo con urticaria crónica con respecto al control p<0,0001. Conclusión: Este estudio encontró que los pacientes con UCE tienen valores séricos disminuidos de Vitamina D. Son necesarios más estudios acerca del rol de la Vitamina D en la patogénesis de la Urticaria Crónica.
Evidence demostrates the connection between vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency with increased incidence, severity and activity of immune-inflammatory disorders. Chronic urticaria is a skin disorder characterized by recurring hives for mores than 6 weeks, and is divided into spontaneous or inducible by physical stimuli. The main objective of this study was to study the relationship that serum vitamin D levels may have in patients diagnosed with Spontaneous Chronic Urticaria (SCU) who attend the Allergy and Immunology Service of the National Hospital of Clinics and compare them with a control group of patients without urticaria. Materla and Methods: This is a prospective descriptive study in which 27 patients with chronic urticaria spontaneously diagnosed were studied. After making clinical history compatible with the diagnosis, they were given a test (UAS7) to evaluate the severity of the disease. In adition to the hemogram, the thyroid and hepatic profile, serology for virus (Hepatitis B, C, VDRL and VIH), serum levels of immunoglobulins A, G, M, E and vitamin D (D2+D3) to all patients and then analyzed the results and compared with a control group of 16 healthy adults. Results: There were significant differences between serum vitamin D levels in the group with chronic urticaria compared to the control group (p<0,0001) Conclusion: This study found that patients with SCU have decreased serum vitamin D values. More studies are needed about the role of vitamin D in the pathogenesis of UC.
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@#AIM:To investigate the curative effect of surgical resection combined with 100% concentration of autologous serum eye drops in the treatment of pterygium. <p>METHODS: Totally 120 cases of 120 eyes with pterygium from March 2015 to March 2016 in Zhongxiang People's Hospital were randomly divided into the control group and the experimental group. All patients were treated with tobramycin and dexamethasone ophthalmic ointment bandaged eyes postoperatively, and the next day tobramycin and dexamethasone eye drop were used, 2 drops, 6 times per day. The control group was treated with polyvinyl alcohol eye drops, 2 drops, 6 times per day, but the test group were treated with autologous blood concentration of 100% concentration of autologous serum eye drops, 2 drops, 6 times per day. The two groups were treated for 3wk. The curative effect was evaluated after operation of 3mo. <p>RESULTS: The preoperative general condition, ocular symptoms and signs score and Schirmer test of the two groups was no significant different(<i>P</i>>0.05). But there were significant differences of the two groups on ocular symptoms and signs score, corneal epithelium and/or matrix defect area and repair time, Schirmer test after the operation(<i>P</i><0.05). In control group, the recurrence rate was 6.7%. And the experimental group were 3.3%. There was significant difference between the two groups(<i>P</i><0.05). <p>CONCLUSION:The application of 100% concentration of autologous serum eyedrops after pterygium resection combined with autologous limbal stem cell transplantation of conjunctival flap was better for wound healing and ocular surface reconstruction postoperatively, and it achieved good curative effect.
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BACKGROUND: Autologous serum skin test (ASST) and autologous plasma skin test (APST) are simple methods to diagnose autoimmune chronic urticaria. However, the association data of ASST or APST with disease severity and long-term outcome are still unclear. OBJECTIVE: The results of ASST and APST might be used to predict urticaria symptom severity and long-term outcomes among chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) patients. METHODS: We evaluated the prevalence of reactive ASST and APST in 128 CSU patients. The patients were characterized by 4 groups: negative, ASST positive, APST positive, and both ASST and APST positive. We observed remission rate among the CSU patients during 2 years. RESULTS: Forty-four of 128 CSU patients (34%) had negative autologous skin test. The CSU patients with positive ASST, positive APST, and both positive ASST and APST were 47 (37%), 6 (5%), and 31 (24%), respectively. No significant difference was found between the groups according to urticaria severity score (USS) and dermatology life quality index (DLQI). Mean wheal diameter of ASST showed positive correlation with DLQI. Also, mean wheal diameter of APST showed positive correlation with USS and DLQI. Both the positive ASST and APST groups had a high proportion of 4-fold dose of H1-antihistamine than the positive ASST (p = 0.03) and negative groups (p = 0.0009). The rate of remission over 2 years in the negative, positive ASST, positive APST, and both positive ASST and APST groups were 81.1%, 62.3%, 60%, and 46.1%, respectively. The urticaria remission rate in patients in the negative group was significantly higher compared with both positive ASST and APST groups (odds ratio, 5.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.61–15.44; p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: ASST and APST results could predict remission rates among patients with CSU. Our results suggested investigating ASST and APST among CSU patients before starting treatment.
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Humans , Dermatology , Plasma , Prevalence , Pyroglyphidae , Quality of Life , Skin Tests , Skin , UrticariaABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The autologous serum skin test (ASST) is a simple test for detecting functional circulating autoantibodies. In addition, immunoglobulin E (IgE) autoreactivity seems to play a role in the pathogenesis and disease course of atopic dermatitis (AD). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine whether the ASST results were positive in AD patients and to find the relationship between ASST and total serum IgE levels, disease severity, disease duration, and multiple allergen simultaneous test (MAST) results in AD. METHODS: Fifty-two patients with AD who underwent ASST were included in this study. We analyzed total serum IgE concentrations, severity, duration of disease, and allergen frequencies between the ASST-positive and -negative groups. Disease severity was evaluated using the Rajka and Langeland eczema severity score. RESULTS: ASST results were positive in 34.0% (17/52) of patients, and the positivity rates of ASST in IgE-mediated AD patients was 39.0% (16/41), which was significantly higher than in non-IgE-mediated AD patients. Additionally, IgE-mediated AD patients with positive ASST results showed greater disease severity, longer disease duration, and a greater number of allergens than ASST-negative patients (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: This is the first study to evaluate the results of ASST in patients with AD. According to our results, ASST would be a useful test in AD and could be related to autoimmunity, severity, and disease course of AD, especially in IgE-mediated AD. Further studies with more patients are needed to confirm these findings.
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Humans , Allergens , Autoantibodies , Autoimmunity , Dermatitis, Atopic , Eczema , Immunoglobulin E , Immunoglobulins , Skin Tests , SkinABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Chronic urticaria (CU) has a substantial impact on the quality of life. Little clinical data on the prognosis of CU has been reported. This study aimed to investigate the control status and remission rate of CU and to explore potential predictors of good responses to the treatment during a 6-month treatment period. METHODS: A total of 75 patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) were enrolled from 3 university hospitals in Korea. Urticaria control state was classified into 2 groups: group I (remission and well-controlled) and group II (partly and uncontrolled). CU-specific quality of life (CU-QoL) and the urticaria activity score (UAS) were measured before and after the treatment. Autologous serum skin test (ASST), and anti-nuclear and anti-thyroid antibodies were measured at the enrollment into the study. Aspirin intolerance was confirmed by an oral provocation test. RESULTS: Of 59 patients completing the study, 21 (35.6%) arrived at well-controlled status and only 2 (3.4%) achieved remission, whereas 26 (44.1%) remained at partly controlled status and 10 (16.9%) were at uncontrolled status. Mean changes in CU-QoL (36.5+/-2.7 vs 20.6+/-4.3, P=0.017) and UAS (-7.9+/-0.8 vs -3.0+/-1.0, P=0.001) were significantly different between groups I and II. The presence of serum autoantibodies and aspirin intolerance had no influence on the control of urticaria in this study. However, ASST positivity was identified as a significant predictor of CU control in multivariate analysis (OR=6.106, P=0.017). CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of CSU patients that achieved remission or a well-controlled state was 39% for the 6 months of stepwise treatment. Longer observations are necessary to assess the exact prognosis of CSU. ASST results may be a useful parameter for predicting a better response to treatment and both UAS and CU-QoL are helpful to monitor therapeutic response.
Subject(s)
Humans , Antibodies , Aspirin , Autoantibodies , Hospitals, University , Korea , Multivariate Analysis , Observational Study , Prognosis , Prospective Studies , Quality of Life , Skin Tests , UrticariaABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) eye drops in the treatment of recurrent corneal erosions (RCE). METHODS: A total of 47 eyes were included in this retrospective study. Clinical records of 20 consecutive patients with RCE who had been treated with conventional lubricant eye drops (conventional treatment group) from June 2006 to December 2008 and 27 consecutive patients treated with autologous PRP eye drops in addition to lubricant eye drops (PRP eye drops treated group) from January 2009 to September 2014 were reviewed. Major and minor recurrences were recorded and compared between two groups. RESULTS: This study included 31 men and 16 women. The mean age was 44.5 ± 14.5 years (range, 19 to 86 years), and the mean follow-up duration was 14.9 ± 14.4 months (range, 6 to 64 months). Of the 27 cases in the PRP eye drops treated group, there were seven major recurrences in six eyes (22.2%) and ten minor recurrences in seven eyes (25.9%). In contrast, 16 eyes (80.0%) from the 20 patients in the conventional lubricant eye drops treated group had major recurrences, and all patients in this group reported minor recurrences. The mean frequency of recurrence was 0.06 ± 0.08 per month in the PRP eye drops treated group and 0.39 ± 0.24 per month in the conventional treatment group (p = 0.003). No side effects were noted in any of the patients over the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: The use of PRP eye drops for the treatment of RCE was shown to be effective in reducing the recurrence rate without any significant complications.