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Oct. 22, 2008 |
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Welcome to ACAAI eNews
— a bi-weekly aggregated news service from the American
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OCTOBER
New York Allergy & Asthma Society
Difficult Problems in Asthma, Allergy & Immunology
Pending ACAAI Joint Sponsorship
Oct. 31, New York, N.Y.
Contact: Golda Hudes, MD
Tel: 212-595-6460
Email
NOVEMBER
XIX World Congress of Asthma
Nov. 5-8, Monte-Carlo
Contact: Mrs. Leonetta Baldini
Tel: +377 97 97 35 55
Email
Link
ACAAI Annual Scientific Meeting
Nov. 6-11, Seattle, Wash
Tel: 847-427-1200
Email
Link
DECEMBER
ACAAI-IAACI Conference in Israel
Allergists For Israel
Pending ACAAI Joint Sponsorship
Dec. 3-6, Jerusalem, Israel
Contact: Beth Goldfarb
Tel: 513-891-0880
Email
ONGOING
World Allergy Organization Society Meetings
ACAAI CME JOINT SPONSORSHIP ACCREDITATION
Contact: Mary Campbell
Tel: 847-427-1200
Email
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Sponsored
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Top
Stories |
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Specific gene variations tied to early onset asthma
Certain genetic variations previously identified as putting people at higher risk for asthma apparently only increase the risk of asthma that appears at 4 years of age or younger, according to a study in the New England Journal of Medicine. And secondhand smoke exposure early in life also further increased the risk, with a clear cut-off point at 4 years, according to the authors. A previous, genome-wide association study found that genetic variations (or single-nucleotide polymorphisms) at chromosome 17q21 were linked to a heightened risk of asthma. Researchers at the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research in Paris tested 36 SNPs in the 17q21 region among 1,511 people from 372 families. Eleven SNPs were "significantly associated" with asthma, with three of those "strongly associated" with the disease. Four SNPs were strongly associated with early onset asthma, while having no association with later-onset asthma. They noted an even stronger association between six SNPs and asthma in subjects exposed to secondhand smoke at an early age — a nearly threefold increase in risk among children with both the genetic variant and early secondhand smoke exposure. 
Gas from stoves worsens asthma, especially among young
High levels of nitrogen dioxide, or NO2, resulting from using stoves for heat or inadequate ventilation, aggravates the asthma symptoms of children, particularly young children, according to a study in Environmental Health Perspectives. Johns Hopkins University scientists compared the frequency and intensity of coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness to NO2 levels inside the homes of 150 Baltimore 2- to 6-year-olds. Of the households, 83 percent had gas stoves, 72 percent were heated by natural gas, and 14 percent used gas stoves for heating in the winter. In addition, 42 percent had annual incomes below $25,000. Across the board, the irritating and toxic form of nitrogen oxide gas worsened day and night symptoms. Each 20-point increase in nitrogen dioxide levels led to 10 percent more days of cough and 15 percent more days with limited speech due to wheezing.
Study: Glucocorticoids don’t work as well in obese patients
Inhaled steroids may be up to 40 percent less effective in obese patients than in patients of a healthy weight, according to a small study in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. Researchers at National Jewish Health in Denver studied 45 adults — 33 with asthma and 12 without —measuring their blood and airway cells’ response to dexamethasone. Dexamethasone interferes with inflammatory signaling pathways by raising the level of molecule MAP kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1). When the healthy weight subject’s cells were exposed to dexamethasone, the levels of MKP-1 increased by 5.27 times, but when the obese subject’s cells were exposed, the MKP-1 levels increased by only 3.11 times — 41 percent less. The study’s authors said obesity and asthma might combine to somehow limit the pathways by which steroids reduce inflammation.
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A message from ACAAI President Dr. Jay M. Portnoy
When does 1 plus 1 equal 3?
As I come to the end of my term as president, I’m pleased to report that the College and Academy are working together more closely than ever before. In fact, we have experienced an unprecedented era of collaboration between the two organizations that I believe has benefited all of us. In addition, the Joint Council has provided leadership to our organizations with respect to political action as well as reimbursement and legal issues. In a sense, as the title of this column implies, one plus one does indeed equal three. Our organizations are much stronger when we work together than when we operate independently.
An example of this collaboration is the action that our organizations are taking in response to an FDA advisory panel meeting in December. That panel will decide nothing less than the fate of long-acting beta agonists, a category of medications that most of us feel are critical to our ability to treat patients with asthma. The Academy and College, along with the JCAAI, have convened a task force to review information related to this category of drug and we have selected experts to give testimony at the December meeting.
The leadership of our three organizations has consistently met with congressional representatives to encourage support of funding for graduate medical education, appropriate reform of our health care system, improved funding for NIH, and to serve as general advisors about allergy-related policy issues. The collaboration between our organizations has resulted in a disproportionately large influence by our relatively small specialty.
Dr. Portnoy (right) meeting with Senator Sam Brownback (R-Kansas)
at Capitol Hill earlier this month
Collaboration between the Academy and College has been enhanced by a monthly leadership conference call between the officers of both organizations. At the latest meeting, we discussed additional ways to work together to better serve all of our members. When I asked if there were any areas of friction between the two organizations that needed to be resolved, it occurred to us that there really were none.
As my term as president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology draws to an end, I feel very comfortable in reporting that, despite substantial challenges to the specialty from outside, internally our leaders are working together effectively for the benefit of us all. I feel very comfortable turning over the gavel to Dr. Richard Gower knowing that the College will be in good hands. I wish to thank the Board of Regents, officers and staff of the ACAAI for the excellent job they do in advocating for our specialty. I also wish to thank the leadership of the American Academy of Allergy and the Joint Council for their collegiality and willingness to work together to solve our common issues. It is reassuring to know that in this era of national political rancor, allergists can work together so well. I look forward to seeing all of you next month in Seattle.
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Drugs and Devices |
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FDA updates psoriasis drug label due to infection risk
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced an updated label for psoriasis drug efalizumab (Raptiva), adding a boxed warning that the drug may increase the risk of life-threatening opportunistic infections. Several patients taking efalizumab have been hospitalized and some have died due to such infections, including bacterial sepsis, viral meningitis, invasive fungal infections, and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, according to the FDA.
FDA OKs reformulated azelastine nasal spray
The FDA recently approved a new formulation of Meda’s azelastine nasal spray Astelin for treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis. The new formulation, Astepro Nasal Spray, is better tolerated by patients, according to the company. Users reported better symptom relief and fewer cases of bitter taste and nasal discomfort with the new formulation, according to Meda.
FDA approves Lev’s C1 inhibitor for hereditary angioedema attacks
Lev Pharmaceuticals Inc. recently announced that the FDA approved its C1 inhibitor therapy, Cinryze, for routine prophylaxis against angioedema attacks in adolescent and adult patients with hereditary angioedema. The drug is expected to be commercially available for later this year. The company will offer a program to provide support services, such as benefit coverage investigations, prior authorizations and broad based reimbursement assistance for patients and health care providers. The program also will assist patients and health care providers by helping to secure adequate insurance coverage for the C1 inhibitor. The company is committed to assuring access to the drug for all patients who may benefit from therapy.
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Association
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Newsletter, Web presentation showcase ACAAI initiative
ACAAI members can take a visual tour of the new Find an Allergist, Find Relief public awareness and education campaign and read more about this multifaceted initiative in a special newsletter arriving soon by e-mail.
Find an Allergist, Find Relief E-News will provide regular updates about the campaign and highlight how members can get involved. The first issue includes a link to a special presentation that showcases many of the campaign’s different components, including the new consumer Web site. The Flash presentation previews the advertising campaign, Web site, and the education and advocacy toolkit that encourages members to promote their practices while augmenting the efforts of the national campaign. In addition to the presentation, the inaugural E-News issue introduces the new allergist brand mark and previews the public relations campaign that will be launched this spring.
More information will be distributed in a few weeks about how members can receive a copy of the education and advocacy toolkit by joining the campaign’s Allergy and Asthma Relief Team. Information and toolkits also will be available at a special booth at the Annual Meeting in Seattle.
“Our members are our greatest asset,” said Dr. Richard Gower, president-elect and chair of the Marketing Task Force. “I hope everyone is as excited as I am about the new information tools we have for both the public and for members. By combining the College’s national efforts with grassroots enthusiasm, we can help more people learn that they don’t need to suffer from allergies. An allergist can help them find relief.”
The newsletter will be sent via e-mail the week of Oct. 27.
View the ACAAI Annual Meeting final program online
The final program for the ACAAI Annual Meeting, Nov. 6-11, is now online. View the wide array of scientific programs, workshops and Meet the Professor Breakfasts offered. Browse through the abstract titles and presentation times. For entertainment and relaxation with your colleagues, check out the social events. Spread the word about the special programs the College offers for fellows-in-training, allied health professionals, office administrators, and asthma educators.
Online registration has been extended until October 30, or you can advance register by downloading and faxing your registration forms, available at the above Web site or in your Preliminary Program.
Remember to purchase tickets for the Annual Meeting Fundraising Dinner, featuring the amazing Cirque Ingenieux, on Sunday evening, Nov. 9, benefiting the Foundation. The event is supported in part by grants from Alcon Laboratories, AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, and Teva Specialty Pharmaceuticals.
The College shares resources, expertise internationally
Through its ongoing collaborative activities with allergy organizations around the globe, the College is sharing educational assets and establishing new contacts.
“This year, the College sent speakers to Singapore, Italy, Lithuania, Romania, Kazakhstan, and to many countries throughout Central and South America,” said Dr. Daniel Ein, immediate past president of ACAAI and International Committee chair. “In addition, we will be sending six speakers to the Israel meeting next month.”
Dr. Ein noted that the reasons for the College’s involvement in various international meetings are:
1. Establishing an ambassadorship to the site (country)
2. Promoting the mission of the College
3. Recruitment of new international affiliate members around the world
4. Allowing speakers to learn how allergy is practiced abroad
5. Sharing our excellent educational assets with others around the world
6. Establishing contacts for future collaborative projects
7. Assisting conference organizers in building an effective ACCME CME process
8. Providing assistance in the administration of specialty organizations
The Singapore meeting was sponsored by the Singapore College of Paediatrics and Child Health, and the Singapore Paediatric Society, and co-sponsored by the Asia Pacific Association of Pediatric Allergy, Respirology and Immunology, and the Asian Allergy and Asthma Foundation.
“There were more than 500 registrants from Southeast Asia and China,” reported Dr. William K. Dolen, past president of ACAAI. “Although primarily a general pediatric meeting, it had substantial emphasis on assessment and management of immunodeficiency and the allergic diseases, as well as translational basic science. It was very well organized. It was also a great opportunity to see our colleagues from China and to make new friends.”
Singapore meeting participants included: Drs. William K. Dolen, ACAAI past president and speaker; Ruby U. Pawankar, meeting organizer, ACAAI international distinguished fellow and speaker; Linda Cox, ACAAI speaker; and Michael S. Blaiss, ACAAI past president and speaker.
Venice Italy speakers included (seated, from left): Drs. Mario LaRosa; Sami L. Bahna, ACAAI vice president and speaker; Gino Schiliro; (standing) Myron J. Zitt, ACAAI past president and speaker; Joseph Bellanti, ACAAI past president and speaker; Lawrence DuBuske, ACAAI speaker and International Subcommittee chair; and Daniel Ein, ACAAI past president and speaker. |
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AMA Corner |
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Welcome to the AMA Corner prepared by Dr. Alnoor A. Malick, ACAAI Delegate to the AMA House of Delegates, to keep you abreast of important AMA news and developments affecting allergy-immunology.
AMA Interim Meeting is Nov. 8-11 in Orlando
The 2008 Interim Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates is fast approaching. The Interim Meeting will be held Nov. 8–11 at the Orlando World Center Marriott in Florida. AMA section and special group assembly meetings will take place Nov. 6–9. Programs are offered by the AMA Organized Medical Staff Section through which physicians can receive continuing medical education credit.
New video helps physicians improve patients’ health behaviors
An online program recently released by the AMA, “Connecting Patients to Community Resources,” provides physicians with an overview of available community resources—for smoking cessation, reducing risky drinking, eating healthier, and increasing physical activity—to help patients improve their health behaviors. The video is the latest episode in the AMA’s Educating Physicians on Controversies and Challenges in Health series.
Following the program, physicians should be able to identify the recommended guidelines for the four key health behaviors, including tobacco use, alcohol consumption, healthy eating, and physical activity, and refer patients to appropriate community resources to improve these health-related behaviors.
Physicians reminded to update their NPI information
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services encourages physicians to keep their National Provider Identification (NPI) records up to date. To do this, physicians should know and maintain their passwords, which are used to change information in the NPI system, reset their passwords once a year and review their NPI records to make sure the information is accurate.
Physicians can visit https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov/NPPES/Welcome.do to correct, add or delete information in their NPI records. A user ID and password is required to log on to the site. Physicians can call (800) 465-3203 if they have questions or problems accessing the system.
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Fellows-in-Training |
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Board Review Corner
Welcome to the Board Review Corner prepared by Drs. Bret R. Haymore and Jennifer W. Mbuthia, Senior and Junior Representatives of ACAAI’s fellows-in-training (FITs) to the Board of Regents. The Board Review Corner is an opportunity to help hone your Board preparedness.
To refer to a previous Board Review Corner, click the “FIT Archive” link in the left column.
Review Questions: Chapter 38 of Pediatric Allergy: Principles & Practices, edited by Donald Y.M. Leung, et al. Review questions were written by Drs. Bret R. Haymore and Jennifer W. Mbuthia, Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
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