Remote hearing aid renewal using pre-existing audiograms during the covid-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, many patients cancelled their scheduled hearing aid renewal. We offered to send them new hearing aids programmed according to the audiometric data on file. In this study we compared remote hearing aid renewal to a conventional renewal with a recent audiogram based on scores from the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA) questionnaire. We also examined the need for a physical visit for hearing aid adjustment in the remote group and analysed the accuracy of the pre-existing audiogram correction method using data from the control group. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. STUDY SAMPLE: 51 patients who underwent remote hearing aid renewal and 22 control patients who received office-based hearing aid renewal. RESULTS: IOI-HA scores were lower in the remote fitted group, but comparison with data from a Swedish nationwide database had no clinically significant differences. A follow-up physical appointment was required in only 20% of the remote group. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) between the pure tone averages of the corrected former audiogram and measured audiogram was high. CONCLUSIONS: Remote hearing aid renewal using existing audiometric data is feasible, and most physical visits can be avoided.

Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) to change quality of life for adults with recurrent rhinosinusitis: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) has been used for decades to treat recurrent acute rhinosinusitis episodes (RARS) in adults. RARS results in infectious symptoms, antibiotic courses, sick leaves, and impaired quality of life. Theoretically, the ESS procedure, through improving the drainage of the paranasal sinuses, decreases the symptoms and enhances the quality of life of the RARS patients. Whether this is true has not been reported in a randomized trial yet. METHODS: We conduct a single-center, non-blinded, randomized, 6-month, parallel group superiority clinical study including 80 adult participants referred to surgical treatment for RARS. The participants will either have ESS or conservative medical treatment (control group). The primary outcome will be the difference between the mean disease-specific Sinonasal Outcome Test 22 (quality of life questionnaire) change scores (from baseline to 6 months) of ESS and control group. DISCUSSION: This study will add significant new information to the effect and harms of ESS procedure in the treatment of adults with RARS. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04241016 . Registered on 17 January 2020.

Existence of natural mouse IgG mAbs recognising epitopes shared by malondialdehyde acetaldehyde adducts and Porphyromonas gingivalis.

Natural Abs are produced by B lymphocytes in the absence of external Ag stimulation. They recognise self, altered self and foreign Ags, comprising an important first-line defence against invading pathogens and serving as innate recognition receptors for tissue homeostasis. Natural IgG Abs have been found in newborns and uninfected individuals. Yet, their physiological role remains unclear. Previously, no natural IgG Abs to oxidation-specific epitopes have been reported. Here, we show the cloning and characterisation of mouse IgG mAbs against malondialdehyde acetaldehyde (MAA)-modified low-density lipoprotein. Sequence analysis reveals high homology with germline genes, suggesting that they are natural. Further investigation shows that the MAA-specific natural IgG Abs cross-react with the major periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis and recognise its principle virulence factors gingipain Kgp and long fimbriae. The study provides evidence that natural IgGs may play an important role in innate immune defence and in regulation of tissue homeostasis by recognising and removing invading pathogens and/or modified self-Ags, thus being involved in the development of periodontitis and atherosclerosis.