Combinations of self‐reported rhinitis,conjunctivitis, and asthma predicts IgE sensitization in more than 25,000 Danes

BackgroundAllergic rhinitis (AR), allergic conjunctivitis (AC), and asthma composing multiple phenotypes and improved understanding of these phenotypes and their respective risk factors are needed.ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to define the prevalence of AR, AC, and asthma and their association with allergen‐specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) sensitization in a large cohort of blood donors and identify risk factors.MethodsFrom the nationwide population‐based Danish Blood Donor Study, 52,976 participants completed an electronic questionnaire including AR, AC, asthma, allergic predisposition, and childhood residence. Of these, 25,257 were additionally tested for sIgE to inhalation allergens (Phadiatop).ResultsThe prevalence of sIgE sensitization, AR, AC, and asthma was 30%, 19%, 15%, and 9%, respectively. The youngest birth cohorts had the highest prevalence of sIgE sensitization and symptoms of asthma, AR, and AC, and for asthma, they apparently experienced symptoms at an earlier age. The sIgE sensitization was positively associated with male sex. The sIgE seroprevalence was higher in participants with both AR and AC (ARC) than in participants with either AR or AC. Allergic predisposition and sIgE sensitization increased the risk of the diseases, while farm upbringing was associated with reduced prevalence of ARC, however, only in sIgE sensitized participants.ConclusionBirth year, childhood residence, sIgE sensitization, and allergic predisposition were associated with asthma, AR, and AC prevalence. Individuals with self‐reported ARC represent a primarily sIgE‐positive phenotype, while those with either AR or AC represent more diverse phenotypes.     

Shoulder Rotational Strength Profiles of Danish National Level Badminton Players

BackgroundIncreased age has been shown to be associated with weaker external rotators and stronger internal rotators of the shoulder in pitchers and tennis players. Whether this age-associated change is present in elite badminton players is unknown.PurposeTo compare the internal and external rotation strength of the shoulder in adolescent and adult elite badminton players.Study designCross-sectional.MethodsThirty-one adolescent (12 females aged 16.8 ± 1.6 years and 19 males aged 17.1 ± 1.6 years) and 29 adult (10 females aged 25 ± 2.9 years and 19 males aged 26.2 ± 4.6 years) national level badminton players were tested pre-seasonally for external rotation (ER) and internal rotation (IR) isometric muscle strength bilaterally, using a hand-held dynamometer. Within-group ER to IR strength ratios were calculated (ER/IR×100%).ResultsThe adolescents had stronger shoulder ER than the adults on both sides (p < 0.05). The adult males tended to have stronger IR of the dominant shoulder than the adolescent males (p = 0.071). In the dominant shoulders, the strength ratios for adult females and males were 77% and 78%, respectively, while the same ratio for adolescent females and males were 85% and 99%, respectively. In the non-dominant shoulders, the ER/IR strength ratios for adult females and males were 90% and 87%, respectively, while the ratios for adolescent females and males were 116% and 102%, respectively.ConclusionThis study is the first to demonstrate that in shoulder injury-free national team badminton players, adolescents have stronger shoulder ER than adults on both sides. Therefore, increased age appears to be associated with weaker shoulder ER muscles in elite badminton players.Level of evidence3b.     

Culturally competent primary care response for women of immigrant and refugee backgrounds experiencing family violence: A systematic review protocol

AimThis review will identify, critically appraise, and synthesise evidence on culturally competent approaches to the provision of primary care to women of immigrant and refugee backgrounds who experience family and domestic violence.BackgroundWomen from some immigrant and refugee backgrounds are known to be at a higher risk for harms from family and domestic violence. However, little is known about cultural competency in the provision of primary care for these women and how this enables, or hinders, clinicians in caring for them.Design/methodsA systematic review using Critical Interpretive Synthesis of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods studies and grey literature that report cultural competency in the provision of primary care for women over 16 years of age experiencing family and domestic violence. Our search strategy will include electronic database searches, citation tracking, and grey literature searches. Two reviewers will independently carry out title, abstract, and full text screening using the Covidence software, then quality assessment, and data extraction. We will appraise quality using the Crowe Critical Appraisal Tool for quantitative and mixed methods studies; Quality Framework for qualitative studies; and the Authority, Accuracy, Coverage, Objectivity, Date, Significance checklist for grey literature. A qualitative critical synthesis of the included studies and grey literature will be completed.DiscussionCritical interpretive synthesis is an iterative method that allows reviewers to explore various foci of the concept in question and answer the research question posed at the outset comprehensively. The expected outcome of the review is an evidence-based model of culturally competent primary care related to family and domestic violence.