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Genes associated with allergic diseases may reduce brain tumor risk
A study in Cancer Research suggests that people with asthma, hay fever and other allergic conditions are at lower risk of developing the most common type of brain tumor, glioblastoma multiforme. Researchers from England, Sweden and the United States compared DNA samples from 111 people with glioblastoma multiforme to samples from 422 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. All volunteers were from Sweden. People with polymorphisms IL-4RA and IL-13 were more likely to have asthma, hay fever and other allergic conditions and less likely to have a glioblastoma. One genetic variant that increases asthma risk two-fold reduces glioblastoma multiforme risk by 40 percent, researchers said.

Study: Black pregnant women at higher risk for asthma problems
Low-income black women are among the most vulnerable to asthma complications, says a study in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Researchers from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville studied 4,315 asthmatic pregnant women in the Tennessee Medicaid program, finding complication rates higher among black women than white women, despite equal Medicaid coverage. Among the 4,315, only 16 percent were on inhaled medications during pregnancy. Overall, 13 percent needed at least one prescription for "rescue" corticosteroids to control asthma exacerbations, with more black women needing the rescue prescriptions — 15 percent vs. 12 percent. They also had higher emergency room visits and hospitalizations for asthma.

Crawford confirmed as permanent head of FDA
The U.S. Senate recently voted 78-16 to confirm Dr. Lester Crawford, acting
commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration since March 2004, to
permanently head the agency. Dr. Crawford also served as acting commissioner from February to November 2003. He has a doctorate in pharmacology. 

It was agreed that there is a lack of definitive data on patient safety with regard to LABAs in general and regarding safety differences between salmeterol and formoterol. As asthma is a heterogeneous disease, it is likely that there are subpopulations that have diminished responses and/or untoward outcomes from these agents. Differences in phenotypes and genotypes as well as exposure to major environmental factors may account for differences in risk and response to therapy. More studies are obviously necessary to improve our understanding of asthma in general and, of course, of LABAs. To date, the benefits of using these agents properly, in combination with inhaled corticosteroids, appears to outweigh the risks of potential side effects that could develop in a sub-segment of the population. Thus education of patients and physicians is necessary both to reassure each of LABA benefits and to alert them to monitor for potential side effects.

Not all participants felt that a black box warning was an optimal method of education as this could be a deterrent to medication that might otherwise prove beneficial. Yet industry did not feel that a black box warning affected selection of a drug for inclusion or exclusion from a health care plan’s formulary.

Dr. Martin concludes his very comprehensive report of the proceedings by commenting “this was an interesting, in depth, all-day collegial discussion between representatives of industry, governmental/regulatory organizations, practitioners and advocacy groups. The entire process was open to the public and the press. The science was fascinating and well-presented, and the discussion was thoughtful and wide-ranging. All voices were heard and considered.”

The strength of our organization is in our members. To Dr. Martin, Dr. Bernstein and all of you who devote your time and energy to the College, our specialty and, of course, our patients — many thanks. It is you who are the heart and strength of our organization.

Lest I miss the opportunity, it appears evident that for the diagnosis and management of anaphylaxis or asthma or the proper use of long-acting beta agonists, that nobody does it better than the allergist.

Dr. Myron Zitt
President, ACAAI

Online registration for the ACAAI Annual Meeting now open
Online registration for the ACAAI Annual Meeting in Anaheim, Nov. 4-9, 2005, is now up and running. You may access online registration, online housing, printable housing forms and the Preliminary Program from the College member Web site.

Attendees can register for housing by using the housing form located on the Web site and in the Preliminary Program. The individual hotels will not accept phone calls.

Don’t forget to order your tickets early for the Annual Fundraising Dinner with Jay Leno on Sunday evening, Nov. 6.

Look for your printed copy of the Preliminary Program to be mailed soon.

Special ACAAI courses designed for health care professionals
The ACAAI offers special courses for advanced practice health care providers, office administrators, asthma educators and allied health professionals in conjunction with its Annual Meeting in Anaheim.

The courses are tailored to meet their educational needs and are developed and presented by leaders in the field. Program information and online registration are available online. Following is a description of these courses:

• Advanced Practice Health Care Providers Course (New): Friday, Nov. 4 – The course is designed for nurses, physicians’ assistants, respiratory therapists, fellows-in-training and young physicians. During the morning program, faculty will discuss immunodeficiency, asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis, new medications and evidence-based outcomes. Interactive workshop topics cover complementary medicine, asthma and the elderly, and immunizations, vaccines and drug reactions. Advanced Practice Health Care Providers contact credit hours are applied through the Illinois Nurses Association.

• Office Administrators’ Course: Friday, Nov. 4 – This course is designed for office managers, administrators and others involved in the administration of practice. The course includes an update from the JCAAI and programs on CPT coding and EMR. Interactive workshops will address personnel issues, risk management, and billing and collections.

• Asthma Educators’ Course: Thursday & Friday, Nov. 3-4 – Conducted by the Association of Asthma Educators (AAE) National Asthma Educators, the course was written by certified asthma educators to provide an in-depth review of asthma education based on the NAECB exam matrix. It is designed to prepare participants to sit for the National Asthma Educator Certification Board (NAECB) Exam. The NAECB, supported in part by the College, is the only organization in the United States with a national certification process for asthma educators.

• Allied Health Professionals: Saturday & Sunday, Nov. 5-6 – The course consists of Interactive Panels covering the topics of anaphylaxis, insects, feeding and prevention of allergic diseases, chronic cough and spirometry – vocal chord dysfunction (VCD), plus a series of six interactive workshops tailored to meet the special needs of allied health professionals.

Allergy Practice Tip: Color You Smart
Advice from The Patient-Centered Allergy Practice
Print your own coloring book for children to draw on while they wait. Put your logo on the cover and let kids take it home with them. It’s a simple and inexpensive marketing tool. For more advice on patient satisfaction, visit www.PatientCenteredAllergyPractice.com

These tips are drawn The Patient-Centered Allergy Practice, a CME Series in Practice Management, supported through an educational grant from sanofi-aventis Group and endorsed by the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.