Browsing by Author "Casper, Ingrid"

Abstract Background The number of patients affected by allergies is increasing worldwide. The resulting allergic diseases are leading to significant costs for health care and social systems. Integrated care pathways are needed to enable comprehensive care within the national health systems. The ARIA (Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma) initiative develops internationally applicable guidelines for allergic respiratory diseases. Methods ARIA serves to improve the care of patients with allergies and chronic respiratory diseases. In collaboration with other international initiatives, national associations and patient organizations in the field of allergies and respiratory diseases, real-life integrated care pathways have been developed for a digitally assisted, integrative, individualized treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR) with comorbid asthma. In the present work, these integrated care pathways have been adapted to the German situation and health system. Results The present ICP (integrated care pathways) guideline covers key areas of the care of AR patients with and without asthma. It includes the views of patients and other healthcare providers. Discussion A comprehensive ICP guideline can reflect real-life care better than traditional guideline models.

Summary Background Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), an inflammatory disease of the paranasal mucosa, is primarily characterized by type 2 inflammation. Three antibodies (dupilumab, omalizumab, and mepolizumab) are now approved for the treatment of severe CRSwNP. Documentation of disease severity during the course of treatment is essential. Methods A literature search of Medline, PubMed, and the national and international trial and guideline register, and the Cochrane Library was performed to analyze the immunology of CRSwNP and determine the evidence for the effect of dupilumab, omalizumab, and mepolizumab in this disease. This has resulted in 3 position papers prepared by our group of authors, which form the basis of this summarizing review. Results Based on the information from the international literature, recommendations for the use of dupilumab, omalizumab, and mepolizumab in CRSwNP in the German health care system are given by an expert panel. Conclusion Dupilumab, omalizumab, and mepolizumab are approved for patients 18 years of age and older with CRSwNP as add-on therapy to intranasal corticosteroids when, for dupilumab and mepolizumab, therapy with systemic corticosteroids and/or surgery does not achieve sufficient disease control. Therapy with omalizumab is indicated when therapy with intranasal corticosteroids does not result in sufficient disease control. Dedicated recommendations for the documentation of the use in the German health care system are given, which are based on the position papers of our author group already published on this topic.