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Biomedical subjects

Gordon Sussman

Publications and source records attributed to Gordon Sussman.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Desloratadine therapy for symptoms associated with perennial allergic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND: Perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) has a substantial negative social and economic impact. Recent studies emphasize the potential seriousness of PAR and the need for improved treatment of this condition. OBJECTIVE: To confirm the efficacy and safety of the H1-antihistamine desloratadine in reducing the symptoms of PAR in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. METHODS: Patients with PAR (N = 1,179) from 67 US/international centers received desloratadine, 5 mg once daily, or identical placebo tablets. The primary efficacy measure was the change from baseline to week 4 in average morning and evening reflective total symptom scores (TSSs). Secondary end points included changes from baseline in total nasal and nonnasal symptom scores and peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) rates. RESULTS: Desloratadine was significantly more effective than placebo in reducing morning and evening reflective TSSs for each week and during weeks 1 through 4 (P = .001). Mean changes in TSSs during the 4-week study were -3.9 (26.6% reduction) and -3.2 (22.3% reduction) for the desloratadine and placebo groups, respectively (P = .001, desloratadine vs placebo). With desloratadine therapy, significant improvements were also seen in secondary efficacy end points compared with placebo use (total nasal and nonnasal symptom scores: P < or = .04). Improvements in mean morning PNIF were significantly greater in the desloratadine-treated group than in the placebo group (P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm and extend previous findings that desloratadine is safe and is associated with a statistically significant reduction in nasal and nonnasal symptoms in patients with PAR. Objective nasal airflow, evaluated by PNIF, was statistically significantly improved after desloratadine treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Canadian trial of sublingual swallow immunotherapy for ragweed rhinoconjunctivitis.

BACKGROUND: Sublingual swallow immunotherapy has been increasingly recognized as a safe and efficacious alternative to parenteral specific immunotherapy. OBJECTIVE: To determine the safety and efficacy of sublingual swallow immunotherapy ragweed allergen extract for rhinoconjunctivitis treatment starting just before and continuing through the ragweed pollen season. METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was performed in children and adults with a documented history of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis during ragweed season at 9 Canadian allergy centers. Active treatment was standardized extract of ragweed allergen administered as sublingual swallow drops at increasing doses starting shortly before the pollen season and maintenance doses continued daily during the season. Primary efficacy variables were symptom and medication scores, and secondary variables included global evaluation of efficacy and immunologic measurements. RESULTS: Eighty-three patients were included in the safety analysis; 76 patients were included in the intent-to-treat analysis. Nine placebo recipients and 1 treatment recipient withdrew for lack of efficacy (P = .004). Nine patients in the treatment group withdrew because of adverse events, none serious (P = .003). Investigator evaluation of efficacy showed that significantly more patients improved and fewer deteriorated in the treatment group vs the placebo group (P = .047). Ragweed IgE and IgG4 levels increased significantly in treatment recipients vs placebo users (P < .001). Sneezing and nasal pruritus approached significant improvement in the treatment group vs the placebo group (P = .09 and .06, respectively). Quebec City experienced low pollen counts. Excluding Quebec City, significant improvement was seen for these 2 symptoms (P = .04). CONCLUSION: Sublingual swallow immunotherapy seems to be safe and efficacious for ragweed rhinoconjunctivitis even when started immediately before the ragweed pollen season.

Administration, Sublingual↗
PubMed2003

Comparison of the efficacy of IGIV-C, 10% (caprylate/chromatography) and IGIV-SD, 10% as replacement therapy in primary immune deficiency. A randomized double-blind trial.

A novel method of large-scale chromatography has been developed to improve recovery and purity of immunoglobulin G (IgG) from pooled plasma. The current study compares safety, toxicity and efficacy of two intravenous immunoglobulin products: a novel formulation, IGIV caprylate/chromatography (IGIV-C; Gamunex, 10%) and a licensed solvent/detergent-treated product, Gamimune N, 10% (IGIV-SD). The study, a randomized, double-blind, parallel group, therapeutic equivalence trial, was conducted at 25 treatment centers in Canada and the United States. Patients (n=172) having confirmed chronic primary immunodeficiency (PID), aged 1-75 years, and receiving IGIV therapy were enrolled. For 9 months, patients were treated with IGIV-C or IGIV-SD in accordance with the patient's individualized treatment regimen utilized before study entry. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with >or=1 validated acute sinopulmonary infection during the treatment period. Secondary endpoints included the proportion of patients with all infections, time to first infection, annual infection rates, lung function parameters, infusion-related safety and viral safety. The annual validated infection rate in the IGIV-C group was 0.18 compared to 0.43 in the IGIV-SD group (p=0.023). Nine patients receiving IGIV-C experienced validated infections, compared to 17 patients in IGIV-SD group (p=0.06). Acute sinusitis (validated plus clinically defined) was less frequent in the IGIV-C group (p=0.012). Presence of bronchiectasis did not affect efficacy. Adverse reactions were similar in frequency and severity in both groups. No evidence of viral transmission was observed. IGIV-C appears to be superior to IGIV-SD in preventing validated sinopulmonary infections, especially acute sinusitis, in patients with PID.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Natural rubber latex allergy after 12 years: recommendations and perspectives.

Natural rubber latex (NRL) allergy is a "new" illness whose prevalence reached epidemic proportions in highly exposed populations during the last decade. In children with spina bifida and in patients exposed to NRL during radiologic procedures, institution of prophylactic safety measures has had demonstrable effects in preventing allergic reactions. The risk of NRL allergy appears to be largely linked to occupational exposure, and NRL-associated occupational asthma is due almost solely to powdered latex glove use. Prevalence of NRL-allergic sensitization in the general population is quite low; several studies of young adults demonstrate rates of positive skin test results that are less than 1%. After occupational exposure, rates of sensitization and NRL-induced asthma rise dramatically in individuals using powdered NRL gloves but not in individuals using powder-free gloves. Airborne NRL is dependent on the use of powdered NRL gloves; conversion to non-NRL or nonpowdered NRL substitutes results in predictable rapid disappearance of detectable levels of aeroallergen. For these reasons, adoption of the following institutional policies designed to prevent new cases of NRL allergy and maximize safety is recommended: (1) NRL gloves should be used only as mandated by accepted Standard Precautions; (2) only nonpowdered, nonsterile NRL gloves should be used; and (3) nonpowdered, sterile NRL gloves are preferred for use. Low-protein powdered, sterile gloves may be used, but only in conjunction with an ongoing assessment for development of allergic reactions.

Asthma↗