No abstract

To assess the efficacy and safety of a pollen blocker crème for prophylaxis of symptoms in patients with seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis. Design: Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study conducted from November 2001 through September 2002 in 2 outpatient centers in Germany and 1 in Russia. Ninety-one patients aged 18 to 55 years with at least a 2-year history of seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis confirmed by history and positive skin test results were randomly assigned to receive pollen blocker cream (n=43) or carboxymethylcellulose in gel (placebo) (n=48) applied sparingly to the lower internal nose region 4 times daily for a total of 9 days. The efficacy of treatment was assessed by means of nasal provocation testing. The investigators assessed the nasal symptom severity scores (range, 0-6), and the changes in nasal airflow after allergen application were measured by anterior rhinomanometry. Results: The median score fell from 4 to 1 after application of the pollen blocker cream (PϽ.001) and from 4 to 3 in the placebo group (PϽ.05). The difference between the 2 groups after the second provocation was highly significant (PϽ.001). The increase in airflow in response to treatment was roughly 20% in the blocker group compared with only about 10% in the placebo group, relative to an airflow rate (299 mL/s) measured after provocation on day 1. Conclusions: The blocker was significantly more effective than placebo and reduced the typical symptoms of allergic rhinitis in response to nasal challenge with allergen by nearly 60% (placebo reduced symptoms by 25%). The pollen blocker cream did not produce any adverse effects. Therefore, the efficacy of the investigational product can be rated as good.

The administration of AS 195 improved objective symptoms of CVI and may prevent CVI deterioration.

Introduction. The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) intron 16 insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism is associated with ACE activity and has been discussed as a risk factor for pre-eclampsia. Disturbances of uteroplacental circulation are involved in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia. In this study, we tested whether the ACE I/D genotype is associated with history of foetal loss (FL) or uteroplacental dysfunction (UPD). Patients and methods. ACE I/D genotype was determined in 312 women presenting with a history of FL and 112 women admitted because of UPD. The association of the ACE I/D genotype with FL or UPD was assessed in a case-control study using 527 patients with diagnoses other than FL or UPD. To exclude potential biases due to associations of this genotype with other diagnoses, we additionally performed a casecontrol study using 553 healthy controls. Results. ACE I/D genotype was significantly associated with history of FL in both case-control studies (patient controls: odds ratio 1.52, p<0.02; healthy controls: odds ratio 1.48, p=0.02). There was no evidence for allele-dose dependency. No association of the ACE I/D genotype with UPD could be detected. Conclusions. The ACE I/D genotype exhibits a statistically significant association with a history of FL. These results corroborate an involvement of the renin-angiotensin system in pregnancy complications.

Ergebnisse einer Studie an 17 PatientenZusammenfassung In einer zweizentrischen, offenen Studie (Charite  Berlin, Prof. Jahnke, Mu È nchen, Prof. Wustrow) wurde an 17 Patienten mit allergischer Rhinitis gegen Pollen oder Tierhaare die Immerfit Pollenschutzcreme (Dr. Theiss Alergol) auf ihre Wirksamkeit getestet. Die allergische Rhinitis wurde durch Anamnese und Pricktest gesichert. Die Provokation wurde mit dem Allergen durchgefu È hrt, das die ho È chste Reaktion beim Pricktest zeigte (Gra È ser, Roggen, Beifuû, Katze bzw. Birke). Am Tag 1 wurde die klinische Untersuchung, der Pricktest, der Symptomscore und der Luftstromabfall in der Nase bestimmt. Am Tag 2 erfolgte die Provokation mit dem spezifischen Allergen, und es wurde wiederum der Symptomscore und der Flussabfall erfasst. Am Tag 3 wurde die Provokation nach dem Einbringen von Immerfit Pollenschutzcreme in den vorderen Nasenabschnitt durchgefu È hrt und wiederum der Symptomscore und der Flussabfall erfasst. Der Symptomscore nahm fu È r Immerfit Pollenschutzcreme um 58 % von 2,9 auf 1,2 hochsignifikant ab (p > 0,01). Der Flussabfall reduzierte sich um 50 % von 75 auf 38 ml/s. Immerfit Pollenschutzcreme erweist sich als ein geeignetes Medizinprodukt zur Reduzierung der Symptome bei allergischer Rhinitis. Schlu È sselwo È rterAllergie, inhalative allergische Rhinitis, Niesattacken, Nasensekretion, mineralische Kohlenwasserstoffe, Teilkarenz. SummaryIn an open, double-center study (Charite  Berlin, Prof. Jahnke, Munich, Prof. Wustrow) 17 patients with allergic rhinitis against pollen or animal hair the protection cream Immerfit (Dr. Theiss Alergol) was tested for efficacy. The allergic rhinitis was determined by patients' history and prick test. Provocation was performed with the allergen showing the highest reaction in the prick test (grass, rye, mugwort, cat and birch). On day 1, clinical examinations, prick tests were performed and the symptomatic score as well as the nasal airway decrease were determined. On day 2, provocation with the specific allergen was done and symptom score and flow decrease were measured. On day 3, provocation was repeated after administration of the protection cream Immerfit in the vestibul and symptom score and flow decrease were remeasured. The symptom score was significantly reduced from 2.9 to 1.2 by 58 % under the protection cream Immerfit (p > 0.01). The flow decrease was reduced from 75 to 38 ml/s (50 %). The protection cream Immerfit is a suitable medical device in the reduction of symptoms of allergic rhinitis.