Mepolizumab is a monoclonal antibody against IL-5 for the treatment of severe eosinophilic asthma. The aim of the current study was to present a predesigned interim analysis of the data of patients who have completed 1 year of therapy with mepolizumab.

The use of point-of-care (POC) coagulometers for monitoring patients on vitamin K antagonist (VKA) treatment makes international normalised ratio (INR) results immediately available. The aim of this study was to compare patients' satisfaction with VKA treatment in two settings characterised by distinct ways of monitoring: POC INR versus laboratory INR.

"Treatment for all" is the vision statement of the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) which works to improve and sustain care for people with inherited bleeding disorders around the World. 2020 sees the publication of the third and latest edition of the WFH haemophilia guidelines, aimed at harmonising the delivery of haemophilia care worldwide (1). Initiated and sponsored by the Federation, the guidelines published as a supplement in the Haemophilia journal, represent an extraordinary collaborative effort.

Digital anamorphosis is used to define a distorted image of health and care that may be viewed correctly using digital tools and strategies. MASK digital anamorphosis represents the process used by MASK to develop the digital transformation of health and care in rhinitis.It strengthens the ARIA change management strategy in the prevention and managementof airway disease. The MASK strategy is based on validated digital tools. Using the MASK digital tool and the CARAT online enhanced clinical framework, solutions for practical steps of digital enhancement of care are proposed.

The World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) strives to achieve care for all patients with inherited bleeding disorders through research, advocacy, capacity building and education. The WFH developed and implemented the Annual Global Survey (AGS), through which comprehensive demographic and treatment data on bleeding disorders are collected each year from its constituent non-governmental national organizations.

With the introduction of clotting factor concentrates in the early 1970s, significant improvements in quality of life and life expectancy of persons with haemophilia (PWH) were realized. Unfortunately, as a result of transmission of HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) by contaminated concentrates in the 1980s, many of these gains were lost. Now with four decades of PWH unexposed to contaminated factor products and current treatments capable of suppressing and eliminating HIV and HCV, respectively, the survival rate is once again increasing. In addition to the usual comorbidities associated with advanced age in the general population, several specific issues occur in patients with bleeding disorders. This manuscript explores the incidence and management of the comorbidities of the ageing PWH with a focus on cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis.

This report contains the updated consensus recommendations for optimal haemophilia care produced in 2019 by three Working Groups (WG) on behalf of European Directorate for Quality of Medicines & Healthcare in the frame of the Kreuth V Initiative. WG1 recommended the access to prophylaxis for all patients, the attainment of plasma factor trough levels of at least 3-5% when extended half-life FVIII and FIX products are used, treatment regimen personalisation and choice of chromogenic assays for treatment monitoring. It was also emphasized that innovative therapies should be supervised by Haemophilia Comprehensive Care Centres. WG2 recommended mandatory postmarketing data collection to assure the long-term safety and efficacy of new haemophilia therapies, the establishment with adequate support under public control of national patient registries including the core data recommended by EMA and ISTH, and more collaboration to facilitate comprehensive data evaluation in Europe. WG3 discussed methodological aspects of haemophilia care in the context of access decisions particularly for innovative therapies, and recommended that clinical studies should be designed to provide the best possible evidence needed by regulatory authorities, HTA bodies and healthcare providers. The dialogue between all stakeholders in haemophilia care and patient organizations should be fostered to implement these recommendations.

This document aims to provide practical guidance for the assessment and management of patients with thrombocytopenia, with a particular focus on Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The intention is to support clinicians and, although recommendations have been provided, it is not a formal guideline. Nor is there sufficient evidence base to conclude that alternative approaches to treatment are incorrect. Instead, it is a consensus written by clinicians with an interest in ITP or coagulation disorders and reviewed by members of the UK ITP forum.

Allergen immunotherapy leads to tolerance through multiple mechanisms that include tolerogenic dendritic cells and T and B regulatory cells. These induced cellular populations produce mediators to skew the immune response to a tolerogenic milieu that, among others, results in IgG4 blocking antibodies formation and lowered FcE receptors. All lead in decreased effector responses from mast cells, eosinophils, and basophils thus limiting the allergic inflammation. Clinically, this results in better allergic rhinitis control and, of importance, asthma prevention. Newer approaches include modified allergens, second generation adjuvants/carriers and routes of administration, all aiming to increased efficacy with parallel no compromise of safety.

The present study aims at analyzing CU score with respect to time, as a time-series. We have attempted to model the investigated time-series in order to unravel possible causative relationships.

Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU) is a disease presenting typical wheals characterized by itching, angioedema or both. Although CU is by appearance a relatively "simple" disease, yet it has a devastating effect on those suffering due to its immense social implications.

Healthy subjects frequently report minor bleedings that are frequently 'background noise' of normality rather than a true disorder. Nevertheless, unexpected or unusual bleeding may be alarming. Thus, the distinction between normal and pathologic bleeding is critical. Understanding the underlying pathologic mechanism in patients with an excessive bleeding is essential for their counseling and treatment. Most of these patients with significant bleeding will result affected by non-severe inherited bleeding disorders (BD), collectively denominated mild or moderate BD for their relatively benign course. Unfortunately, practical recommendations for the management of these disorders are still lacking due to the current state of fragmented knowledge of pathophysiology and lack of a systematic diagnostic approach. To address this gap, an International Working Group (IWG) was established by the European Hematology Association (EHA) to develop consensus-based guidelines on these disorders. The IWG agreed that grouping these disorders by their clinical phenotype under the single category of mild-to-moderate bleeding disorders (MBD) reflects current clinical practice and will facilitate a systematic diagnostic approach. Based on standardized and harmonized definitions a conceptual unified framework is proposed to distinguish normal subjects from affected patients. The IWG proposes a provisional comprehensive patient-centered initial diagnostic approach that will result in classification of MBD into distinct clinical-pathological entities under the overarching principle of clinical utility for the individual patient. While we will present here a general overview of the global management of patients with MBD, this conceptual framework will be adopted and validated in the evidence-based, disease-specific guidelines under development by the IWG.

The adequate definition of pollen seasons is essential to facilitate a correct diagnosis, treatment choice and outcomes assessment in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. A position paper by the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) proposed season definitions for Northern and Middle Europe.

Previous data suggested the potential treatment effect of a proprietary quail eggs-based blend on allergic rhinitis (AR) symptoms, induced by allergen challenge. We herein aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of a similar dietary supplement, comprising the bioactive ingredients of quail eggs and the zinc mineral, in the setting of active AR. Adult patients ( = 77), aged 18- 60 years, with mild, intermittent AR were enrolled in this single-arm, open-label trial. Patients' responses were assessed based on peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) measurements at two visits (Day 1/Visit 1 and Day 7/Visit 2) and self-rating of AR-associated symptoms on a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) throughout the entire 7-day study period. PNIF values at 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min (Visit 1) following administration of an oral dose of the study product were the primary efficacy endpoint. PNIF values (Visit 1) gradually increased from baseline (pre-treatment), with statistical significance first reached 30 min later ( = 0.002). VAS scores (Visit 1) for all AR symptoms gradually decreased with statistical significance first reached at 15 min (rhinorrhea,  = 0.042; itchy nose,  = 0.001; sneezing  < 0.001), 30 min (nasal congestion,  < 0.001; itchy eyes,  = 0.003) or 60 min (watery eyes,  = 0.04). PNIF improvement and decline of VAS scores were significantly more apparent at Visit one vs. Visit 2. Treatment-emergent adverse events were limited to cough and muscle strain (one patient each). Our results support the efficacy, rapid mode of action and tolerability of the investigated product for symptomatic treatment of mild intermittent AR.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) represent one of the most prevalent causes of drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHRs), yet the underlying processes are far from clear. Despite the established role of histamine in allergic reactions, its precise implication in DHRs is elusive.

Assessing treatment satisfaction can guide specific interventions to improve anticoagulation adherence and reduce adverse outcomes. We aimed to assess the psychometric properties (reliability and validity) of the Maltese translation of the Duke Anticoagulation Satisfaction Scale (DASS).

Antiplatelet medications have long been the mainstay for secondary prevention in cardiovascular disorders. More recently, with the advent of coronary stents, there has been an increased use of more potent antiplatelet agents to prevent stent occlusion. Since these drugs are antithrombotic, it is not unusual for them to be associated with serious bleeding, particularly intracranial and gastrointestinal haemorrhage. There are no robust guidelines on how to manage these clinical situations, although there have been some important studies published recently in this area. Similarly, there is very limited evidence on how to manage urgent surgery in patients receiving these medications. In this review, we provide updated guidance on the management of bleeding and surgery on antiplatelet drugs while stressing the need for further studies to provide evidence-based guidelines.