House dust mite control measures for asthma.

BACKGROUND

The major allergen in house dust comes from mites. Chemical, physical and combined methods of reducing mite allergen levels are intended to reduce asthma symptoms in people who are sensitive to house dust mites.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this review was to assess the effects of reducing exposure to house dust mite antigens in the homes of mite-sensitive asthmatics.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Airways Group trials register, checked reference lists of articles and hand-searched Respiration (1980 to 1996) and Clinical and Experimental Allergy (1980 to 1996).

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised trials of mite control measures in asthmatic people known to be sensitive to house dust mites.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two reviewers applied the trial inclusion criteria and extracted the data independently. One reviewer applied the trial quality assessment criteria. Study authors were contacted to clarify information.

MAIN RESULTS

Twenty-three trials were included, with four trials awaiting assessment. There was little difference in improvement of asthma between people in experimental groups compared to control groups (odds ratio 1.2, 95% confidence interval 0.66 to 2.18). Asthma symptom scores were also similar for the experimental and control groups (standardised mean difference -0. 06, 95% confidence interval -0.54 to 0.41). These scores showed a high degree of heterogeneity. No significant difference was noted for medication usage (standardised mean difference -0.14, 95% confidence interval -0.43 to 0.15). Peak flow in the morning showed no significant difference between the experimental and the control groups (standardised mean difference -0.03, 95% confidence interval -0.25 to 0.19).

REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: Current chemical and physical methods aimed at reducing exposure to house dust mite allergens seem to be ineffective and cannot be recommended as prophylaxis for mite sensitive asthmatics.