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| |  Novel Airflow Device Helps Allergic Asthma Patients to Breathe Easy: Presented at EAACI By Sara Freeman LONDON -- June 10, 2010 -- Patients with atopic asthma who sleep under a new airflow device report improved quality of life, researchers said here at the 29th Congress of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI). "In patients with allergic asthma to indoor allergens, TLA [Temperature Controlled Laminar Airflow] works in all patients and in all ages," said Ronald Dahl, MD, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark, on June 8 in presenting the first results from a double-blind, multinational, placebo-controlled study. "There are significant improvements in quality of life -- both in general and including sleep quality -- and the effects are better in the more severe patients," Dr. Dahl added. The TLA device is placed beside the bed and delivers a stable, slightly cooled flow of air to the patient's breathing area. The theory is that the slightly heavier air displaces aero-allergens that are normally wafted from the bedding during the night. Data show that the device is more effective than a traditional room air cleaner at removing these aero-allergens from the patient's breathing space, thus reducing nighttime allergen exposure. To test the nonpharmacological therapy in a clinical setting, Dr. Dahl and colleagues randomised patients with atopic asthma and/or rhinitis to use either the TLA or a placebo device for 12 months. In total, 162 patients used the TLA device and 77 used the placebo device for 12 months. The Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire responder rate at 12 months (the primary endpoint) was significantly higher, indicating better quality of life, in the TLA group than in the placebo-device group (76% vs 61%, P = .02 for intention-to-treat analysis). Similarly significant findings were observed when other analyses were performed (<12 years of age, per protocol), with patients with Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) 3-4 asthma gaining the most benefit. Sleep quality was also noticeably improved. Other preliminary findings from the trial suggest that patients who slept under the TLA device exhaled less nitrogen oxide, suggesting lower airway inflammation, than those who slept under a placebo device. It is thought that the TLA device may be of most use in patients who are sensitised to 2 or more indoor allergens. Funding for this study was provided by Airsonett. [Presentation title: Successful Control of Particulate Exposure Modifies Allergic Airway Diseases. Results of 4A Trial. Airsonett Company Sponsored Symposium]
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