House dust mite avoidance for children with asthma in homes of low-income families

Abstract

Background: Home exposure to high levels of house dust mite allergen has been shown to aggravate airways reactivity and asthma.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether specific house dust mite control measures could reduce exposure levels and asthma severity.

Methods: This double-blinded, randomized trial compared asthma progression over 1 year in children whose homes received standard environmental control intervention with those whose homes received aggressive intervention for dust mite elimination. The primary end point was doubling in PD20 methacholine.

Results: Symptom scores and quality-of-life scores were similar for the standard and aggressive intervention groups. PD20 methacholine doubling occurred in 9 members of the aggressive intervention group vs 4 control patients (P <.05). Dust mite levels decreased in the aggressive intervention homes compared with the standard intervention homes (P <.05).

Conclusion: Aggressive dust mite intervention decreased dust mite levels and improved bronchial hyperresponsiveness.