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Asthma and Anaphylaxis—interconnected entities

  • Anaphylaxis (R Muñoz Cano, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Treatment Options in Allergy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of review

The relationship between asthma and anaphylaxis is not completely defined, and it is necessary to establish their association and find out the influence of factors contributing to their development. Our aim is to review the most recent literature to optimize the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to both entities.

Recent findings

In severe asthma and anaphylaxis, we found a potentially fatal risk. Both diseases can coexist and, although their association is not entirely clear, poor asthma control seems to worsen the prognosis of anaphylaxis.

Summary

Knowing the risk factors for the severity of an asthmatic exacerbation could help prevent the occurrence of severe anaphylaxis. What seems clear is that the diagnosis of asthmatic crisis is often superimposed on that of anaphylaxis, and only the associated extra-respiratory symptoms can orient us towards anaphylaxis. Asthmatic crisis and anaphylaxis require a rapid and early approach, with beta2-agonists and adrenaline being the initial treatments of choice. We must consider their pathophysiological mechanism and phenotyping for the choice of specific treatments such as omalizumab, dupilumab, tezepelumab, and ligelizumab, which offer new perspectives in the control and prevention of both asthmatic patients and recurrent anaphylaxis.

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Abbreviations

IL:

Interleukin

TSLP:

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin

IgE:

Immunoglobulin E

Rα:

Alpha receptor

GRADE:

Grading of recommendations assessment, development, and evaluation

RAST:

Radioallergoasorbent test

mg:

Milligrams

kg:

Kilogram

µg:

Microgram

FDA:

Food and Drug Administration

RR:

Rate ratio

CI:

Confidence interval

FEV1:

Forced expiratory volume in 1 s

Ig G4:

Immunoglobulin G4

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Allergy Department, Severe Asthma Unit, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario A Coruña, As Xubias de Arriba s/n 15006, Coruña, Spain

    Raquel López-Rodríguez MD, Carolina Gómez-Fariñas MD & Manuel Jorge Rial Prado MD, Phd

Authors
  1. Raquel López-Rodríguez MD
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  2. Carolina Gómez-Fariñas MD
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  3. Manuel Jorge Rial Prado MD, Phd
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Correspondence to Manuel Jorge Rial Prado MD, Phd.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

Conflict of Interest

Raquel López-Rodríguez declares no conflict of interest. Carolina Gomez-Fariñas declares that she has no conflict of interest. Dr. Rial reports personal fees from AstraZeneca, personal fees from GSK, personal fees from Chiesi, personal fees from Leti Pharma, personal fees from Allergy Therapeutics, and personal fees from Sanofi for outside the submitted work.

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López-Rodríguez, R., Gómez-Fariñas, C. & Rial Prado, M.J. Asthma and Anaphylaxis—interconnected entities. Curr Treat Options Allergy 9, 353–362 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40521-022-00324-3

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