Efficacy of an in-home test kit in reducing dust mite allergen levels: results of a randomized controlled pilot study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Dust mite allergens can induce allergic sensitization and exacerbate asthma symptoms. Although dust mite reduction and control strategies exist, few asthmatics employ them.

Objectives

We examined whether an in-home test kit, which quantifies dust mite allergen levels, resulted in behavioral changes in implementation and maintenance of mite reduction strategies and helped reduce allergen levels in homes of dust mite-sensitive children.

Methods

We enrolled 60 households of children aged 5-15 with parent-reported dust mite allergy into a randomized controlled trial. Intervention homes (N = 30) received educational material about reducing dust mites and test kits at 1, 2, 5 and 8 months. Control homes (N = 30) received only educational material. At baseline, 6

SUBMITTER: Winn AK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4769118 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature