Allergy experts gather in Dubai for a two day symposium

The Chairman of the symposium, Dr. Hussain Abdul Rahman, Head of the Ear, Nose and Throat Department at Department of Health and Medical services in Dubai said: 'there is a dramatic increase of Respiratory Allergies and Asthma throughout the Gulf region, which reaches 23% & 14% respectively.'

Dr. Abdul Rahman added that respiratory conditions such as Allergic Rhinitis (an inflammation of the nose, surrounding sinuses and eyes caused by pollen in the air which is often called hay fever) are common and affect from 10 to 25% of the population worldwide with increasing prevalence. Allergic Rhinitis symptoms include runny nose, nasal blockage, nasal itching and sneezing.

Although Allergic Rhinitis is not considered a life-threatening condition, it negatively impacts school performance of children and work productivity of adults. Additionally, if left untreated, it may result in serious diseases such as Asthma and Sinusitis.

The two day conference featuring international and regional speakers is aimed at improving the knowledge of Allergy treatment. The program of the meeting focused on lectures, recent research and cases study presentations on the latest advances in Allergy management.

Professor Livije Kalogjera Chairman of the Ear, Nose and Throat Department at Sestre Milosrdince Hospital, University of Zagreb in Croatia, highlighted the consequences of uncontrolled Allergic Rhinitis, such as Rhino-sinusitis and Nasal polyposis. Professor Kalogjera updated the participants on the definition and classifications of Rhino-sinusitis and Nasal polyposis and the most recent treatment guidelines published by the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI). He highlighted that in patients with acute or recurrent acute Rhino-sinusitis antibiotic treatment is essential.

Recent clinical research demonstrated the additional benefits of intra-nasal steroids (e.g. Nasonex) in treating Sinusitis symptoms. In chronic cases (symptoms longer than 12 weeks) intranasal steroids should be used as first line treatment together with saline and antibiotics. Surgery should be reserved only for non responding cases.

The second keynote speaker was Dr. Osman Yusuf from Pakistan, who is a member of the Advisory Committee of the Program on Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA), sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO). He presented an overview of Allergy and how several Allergic diseases are cross related; whether in the skin, nose or lungs.

Dr. Yusuf emphasised that the WHO has recognized Allergic Rhinitis as a worldwide disease affecting up to 25% of the world population and frequently occurring with Asthma in 75% of the cases. In the UAE, there is a high prevalence of Asthma induced by allergens, along with large proportion of Rhinitis patients leading to Allergic Asthma.

Dr. Yusuf highlighted the role of non-sedating antihistamines particularly the newer drugs that have additional anti-allergic properties (e.g. Aerius). He asserted that effective and safe treatments are available in the pharmacies and hospitals, and effort should be made to educate the public not to underestimate effects of Allergy and seek medical advice and to treat Allergic Rhinitis before it potentially develops into Asthma. At the same time an effort should also be made to increase the level of physicians' awareness on the best management of Allergy and Asthma.

The conference was sponsored by Schering-Plough which is a global research-based health care company with leading drugs and research and development in the field of Allergy.