AimTo evaluate the influence of selected socio-demographic factors on quality of life of patients with different degrees of asthma severity.Material and methodsThe study was conducted in 2009–2010 in the Clinic of Allergology, Clinical Immunology and Internal Diseases in Dr J. Biziel University Hospital No. 2 in Bydgoszcz. Patients were divided into a tested group (126) and a control group (86). The criterion for the division was the degree of asthma control according to GINA 2006. The following tools were used: the author's questionnaire containing questions about socio-demographic and clinical data, and the WHOQOL-100.ResultsIn the tested group, a statistically significant correlation was observed between quality of life and age (p < 0.002 for the entire population), education (p < 0.05 in the group with controlled asthma, p = 0.0005 for the entire population), professional activity (p < 0.003 in the group with partially controlled asthma, p < 0.05 with uncontrolled asthma and p < 0.0001 in the entire population), marital status (p = 0.025 for the entire population) and financial situation (p < 0.0001; p < 0.0002; p < 0.009 in all groups; p < 0.0001 in the entire population). There was no significant difference between quality of life, and sex and the place of residence of the respondents.ConclusionsAge, education, professional activity, marital status and financial situation affect the assessment of quality of life in patients with asthma. Socio-demographic factors such as sex and the place of residence do not influence the assessment of quality of life in patients with asthma.

AimTo assess the quality of life of Polish patients with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis before the implementation and after 30–36 months of immunotherapy.Material and methodsTwo hundred patients have been involved in the study: 101 with allergic asthma and 99 with pollinosis. In order to collect research material, the Polish versions of AQLQ (Asthma Quality of Life) and RQLQ (Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life) questionnaires have been used. The self-administered questionnaires concerned such data as age, sex and the patients’ subjective evaluation of their quality of life.ResultsThe average increase in quality of life of patients with asthma was 0.84 and of patients with allergic rhinitis – 1.50. A hypothesis was made that changes of quality of life in each examined group differed significantly. A test for two fractions showed that for patients with asthma it was 7.74 and for patients with allergic rhinitis – 10.38. A statistical analysis showed no such relation in the group of patients with asthma (coefficient of correlation = 0.08) and a slight correlation in the group of patients with allergic rhinitis (coefficient of correlation = 0.20). Applied tests did not show any significant differences, which means that an average increase in quality of life does not depend on sex and age of both examined groups.ConclusionsOn the basis of the research conducted among patients before and after a 3-year period of immunotherapy, the following conclusions have been drawn: 1) immunotherapy significantly improves the objective quality of life in both groups; 2) a slight correlation has been identified between the objective and subjective dimension of quality of life amongst patients with asthma, what contributes to a better quality of life; 3) in both study groups, no significant relationship between gender or age and improvement in quality of life has been noted; 4) immunotherapy, from the point of view of the improvement of quality of life, is a valuable therapeutic tool in patients with atopic bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis.

IntroductionThe prevalence of food allergies and other allergic reactions is increasing worldwide, particularly in highly-urbanized populations. Cell adhesion molecules are expressed in response to various pro-inflammatory cytokines. The expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 – ICAM-1 (CD54), ICAM-1 (CD106), P-selectin (CD62P), and E-selectin (CD62E) on vascular endothelial cells is induced by such pro-inflammatory cytokines as tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 (IL-1).AimTo analyze concentrations of E-selectin and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) in patients with an allergic type of food sensitivity co-existing with gastritis and to compare them to the values determined in individuals with dyspeptic symptoms not associated with allergic disorders.Material and methodsThe study included 80 patients, among them 50 individuals with food sensitivity confirmed based on compulsory standards, and 30 subjects with dyspeptic symptoms not accompanied by allergic conditions. Venous blood samples were taken from each patient and concentrations of E-selectin and PECAM-1 were determined by means of ELISA.ResultsMean concentrations of sE-selectin and sPECAM-1 in patients with food allergy amounted to 54.0 ±21.6 ng/ml and 132.8 ±31.4 ng/ml, respectively. In individuals without food allergy, mean concentrations of sE-selectin and sPECAM-1 were 57.7 ±17.9 ng/ml and 139.6 ±31.1 ng/ml, respectively. Patients with food allergy and individuals with dyspeptic symptoms not associated with food allergy did not differ significantly in terms of sE-selectin concentrations (Mann-Whitney U-test, p = 0.453028). Similarly, no significant intergroup differences were observed with regard to sPECAM-1 concentrations (Mann-Whitney U-test, p = 0.231054).ConclusionsAdhesion molecules play an important role in the development of inflammation. This study did not find significant differences in the concentrations of such molecules as sE-selectin and sPECAM-1 between patients with food allergy and gastritis, and subjects in whom gastritis was not accompanied by atopic disorders. A positive correlation between the concentrations of sPECAM-1 and E-selectin was observed in food allergy patients. Consequently, it can be concluded that these molecules participate in the pathogenesis of the inflammatory process independently of the etiopathogenesis of gastritis.

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many aspects of everyday life. Patients with primary immunodeficiency (PID) are in a particularly difficult situation. The purpose of the present study was to contribute to the very limited research on the everyday aspects of functioning in PID patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods The survey included 85 adult PID patients treated with immunoglobulin replacement therapy in four reference centers for immunology. Everyday functioning of the patients as well as their opinion concerning new solutions in medical care were analyzed. Results During the pandemic, the percentage of patients experiencing fear/anxiety has increased from 47% to 70%. The wide dissemination of information about the SARS-CoV-2 in the media has increased anxiety in 40% of the patients. Patients diagnosed with PID were most afraid of the exposure to contact with strangers, especially in public places. As many as 67 respondents (79%) considered the introduction of restrictions concerning social functioning as good. Only every fifth person learned about the pandemic from reliable sources. Eighty three percent of the patients receiving immunoglobulin substitution experienced less fear of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The patients positively evaluated the solutions related to the direct delivery of drugs to the place of residence in order to continue home IgRT therapy. Fifty three respondents (62.5%) believed that the possibility of a remote consultation was a very good solution. Conclusion It is necessary to increase educational activities concerning the pandemic provided by health care professionals, as patients obtain information mainly from the media and the Internet, which adversely affects the feeling of anxiety. The pandemic, in addition to the very negative impact on patients and the deterioration of their daily functioning, has made patients appreciate their life more, devote more time to family and friends, and do things they like.

The majority of primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs) are antibody deficiencies (PADs), and not all of them are rare diseases; As an example, Caucasian individuals suffer from selective IgA deficiency at a frequency of 1:500.In addition to infections, symptomatic patients with PAD are more likely to develop neoplastic, autoimmune, and allergic diseases. In the event that PAD is neglected or delayed for more than ten years, complications develop, eventually resulting in death. No studies have been conducted to devise and report detailed ready-to-use protocols for managing PAD to date.This study aimed to propose protocols and guidelines for the adult PAD patients’ standard care. Preparing the protocol, we considered the frequency and type of laboratory tests, imaging, endoscopic examinations, specialist consultations, and standardized recommendations for further care in the place of residence. As a result of the proposed monitoring scheme, patients can be provided with complete care in terms of their underlying conditions and comorbidities, as well as early detection of complications. This protocol will serve as a guide for physicians dealing with these patients and enable comparisons of patient groups across a variety of treatment centers, even far away from each other. A national consultant in the field of clinical immunology verified the protocol mainly developed by Polish experts from reference immunology centres for adults.