Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology : official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology
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Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol. · Nov 1997
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialDust mite allergen avoidance in the treatment of hospitalized children with asthma.
Asthma is a leading cause of hospital admission in children. The majority of children with asthma are sensitized and exposed to inhalant allergens that may contribute to chronic airway inflammation. ⋯ Increases in PEFR were recorded among children in the active treatment group and also among sensitized patients whose dust mite allergens fell. These results support the hypothesis that avoidance can be effective even among children admitted to hospital. The study was complicated by insufficient numbers of mite-allergic children and poor compliance with diaries and the protocol. Recruitment from the hospital resulted in participants with more severe asthma than anticipated. The results also suggest that many of the patients in this group will continue to have exacerbations triggered by upper or lower respiratory tract infections.