May 2013

1. Effectiveness and safety of subcutaneous and sublingual immunotherapy for the treatment of allergic rhinitis and asthma.

Lin SY, Erekosima N, Suarez-Cuervo C, Ramanathan M, Kim JM, et al. Allergen-specific immunotherapy for the treatment of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and/or asthma: Comparative Effectiveness Review [Internet]. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US), 2013 March. (Comparative Effectiveness Reviews, No. 111.) Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK133240/

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Editor’s comment: This comparative effectiveness review describes the effectiveness and safety of subcutaneous immunotherapy and sublingual immunotherapy (off-label use of subcutaneous-aqueous allergens for sublingual desensitization) compared with other therapies for the treatment of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma.

2. Current scientific literature, best practices, and emerging issues facing children with food allergies.

Gupta RS, Dyer AA, Jain N, Greenhawt M. Childhood Food Allergies: Current Diagnosis, Treatment, and Management Strategies. Mayo Clinic Proceedings 2013; 88(5): 512-526.

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Editor’s comment: In this comprehensive review the authors assist clinicians in applying the NIAID guidelines to primary care practice.

3. Chronic pruritus may be caused by inflammatory skin diseases, systemic diseases, neuropathic conditions, and psychogenic disorders.

Yosipovitch G, Bernhard JD. Chronic Pruritus. New England Journal of Medicine. 2013; 368(17): 1625-1634.

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Editor’s comment: The authors present a case vignette highlighting chronic pruritus. They follow that with a discussion of strategies for the assessment and treatment of this condition and offer clinical recommendations.