Allergy clinics in times of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: an integrated model

Clinical and Translational Allergy

Corrado Pelaia¹  Giovanni Paoletti²  Giuseppe Cataldo²  Francesca Racca²  Morena Merigo²  Francesca Puggioni²  Giacomo Malipiero²  Giorgio Walter Canonica²  Lina Spinello²  Sebastian Ferri²  Enrico Heffler²  Donatella Lamacchia²  Melissa Sansonna² 

[1] Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University “Magna Grecia” of Catanzaro;Personalized Medicine, Asthma and Allergy, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center IRCCS;

关键词: Allergy;    Asthma;    COVID-19;    SARS-CoV-2;    Pandemic;    Immunotherapy;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s13601-020-00333-y

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Abstract Background Almost the entire World is experiencing the Coronavirus-Disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, responsible, at the end of May 2020, of more than five million people infected worldwide and about 350,000 deaths. In this context, a deep reorganization of allergy clinics, in order to ensure proper diagnosis and care despite of social distancing measures expose, is needed. Main text The reorganization of allergy clinics should include programmed checks for severe and poorly controlled patients, application of digital medicine service for mild-to-moderate disease in well-controlled ones, postponement of non urgent diagnostic work-ups and domiciliation of therapies, whenever possible. As far as therapies, allergen immunotherapy (AIT) should not be stopped and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) fits perfectly for this purpose, since a drug home-delivery service can be activated for the entire pandemic duration. Moreover, biologic agents for severe asthma, chronic spontaneous urticaria and atopic dermatitis should be particularly encouraged to achieve best control possible of severe disease in times of COVID-19 and, whenever possible, home-delivery and self-administration should be the preferred choice. Conclusion During COVID-19 pandemic, allergists have the responsibility of balancing individual patients’ needs with public health issues, and innovative tools, such as telemedicine and digital medicine services, can be helpful to reduce the risk of viral spreading while delivering up-to-date personalized care.

【 授权许可】

Unknown