Efficacy of air purifier therapy for patients with allergic asthma.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of air purifier therapy for patients with allergic asthma. METHODS: Thirty-eight subjects were categorized under two groups namely treatment group and control group. All subjects were under 18 years of age and they had been clinically diagnosed with allergic asthma. The treatment group used high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) purifiers for six consecutive months, and the control group did not use the air filters. Particulate matter (PM) data and dust samples (from bedding and a static point) were collected from the subjects' bedrooms before they started using the air purifiers and each month thereafter. Simultaneously, the subjects were asked to complete a questionnaire for the Asthma Control Test (ACT) or Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT). Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) tests were performed at the start and end of the study. The concentrations of Der p1 and Der f1 were measured in the dust samples. RESULTS: (1) After utilizing the air purifier, the concentrations of house dust mite (HDM) allergens (Der p1+ Der f1) in the dust samples decreased. In addition, the PMindoor/outdoor values significantly decreased. (2) The ACT and C-ACT scores in the treatment group maintained a steady significant upward trend. (3) At the end of the study, the FENO levels in both groups were lower, although the differences were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: It is witnessed that HEPA air purifiers can decrease indoor HDM allergen and PM levels and improve the quality of life for allergic asthma patients.

Repeatability and reproducibility of tear meniscus height with RTVue XR and Keratograph / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#AIM: To observe the agreement of the lower tear meniscus height(LTMH)measurements using RTVue XR and Keratograph ocular surface analyzer, and to compare intraobserver repeatability and interobserver reproducibility between the two devices in the virginal and FS-LASIK eyes. <p>METHODS: Totally 52 virginal eyes and 52 FS-LASIK eyes were included during January 2019 in Guangzhou Aier Eye Hospital. LTMH measurements were performed using RTVue XR and Keratograph Ocular Surface Analyzer. A paired <i>t</i>-test was used to compare the difference between LTMH values using the two devices. The with-subject standard deviation(Sw), test-retest repeatability(2.77Sw), coefficient of variation(CoV)and intraclass correlation coefficient(ICC)were calculated to evaluate the repeatability and reproducibility. <p>RESULTS: In the virginal eyes group, the average LTMH obtained with RTVue XR and Keratograph were 261.12±80.29μm and 235.05±78.40μm, respectively. CoV and ICC were 5.55% and 0.98 for RTVue XR, 14.90% and 0.87 for Keratograph, respectively. In the FS-LASIK group, the average LTMH were 234.55±68.38μm and 208.22±73.85μm, respectively. CoV and ICC were 5.29% and 0.97 for RTVue XR, 16.16% and 0.87 for Keratograph, respectively. <p>CONCLUSION: In the virginal and FS-LASIK eyes, the LTMH value obtained with RTVue XR is 25μm greater than Keratograph. RTVue XR has a better reliability than Keratograph and can be used to measure the LTMH.