Home-Based Treatment for Asthma

Children with asthma who received a new home-based environmental intervention program had 19% fewer unscheduled clinic visits, a 13% reduction in the use of albuterol inhalers, and 38 more symptom-free days over two years than children in a control group.

The home-based program targeted six major classes of allergens that trigger asthma symptoms: dust mites, cockroaches, pet dander, rodents, passive smoking, and mold. Treatment was tailored to each child's sensitivity to the selected allergens and evidence of exposure to the specific triggers. During home visits, subjects were instructed on measures for reducing or eliminating allergen levels in the home. These included allergen-permeable covers on a mattress and pillows, air purifiers with particulate air (HEPA) filters, vacuum cleaners equipped with HEPA filters, and professional pest control.

"The findings of this study will enable policy makers and healthcare providers to more effectively allocate resources to achieve maximum benefits,” said Peter J. Gergen, M.D.. M.P.H., of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID; Bethesda, MD, USA), which helped to fund the study.

The study's results showed that this treatment cost only about U.S.$27.57 per symptom-free day, as cost-effective as many drug interventions. Data also showed that the cost would be substantially lower if the interventions were implemented in a community setting. The study was published in the October 11, 2005, online issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.




Related Links:
.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases