Assessment of Short-Term Changes Induced by a Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus Extract on Asthmatic Patients. Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Title: Assessment of Short-Term Changes Induced by a Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus Extract on Asthmatic Patients. Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Volume: 8 Issue: 2

Author(s): Carmen Vidal, Ana I. Tabar, Javier Figueroa, Jose A. Navarro, Cesarea Sanchez, Agustin Orovitg, Margarita Armisen, Susana Echechipia, Alejandro Joral, Susana Lizarza, Mª Teresa Lizaso, Virginia Rodriguez and Fernando de la Torre

Affiliation:

Keywords: Allergic asthma, dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, specific IgG4, short-term effect, skin-prick test, subcutaneous immunotherapy

Abstract: Background: Once the optimal dose is reached, subcutaneous immunotherapy [SCIT] with mite extract is capable of reducing symptoms and the need for rescue medication. Objective: To assess the capacity of a subcutaneous extract of mites [D. pteronyssinus] to bring about a reduction in concomitant medication as well as in vivo and in vitro changes in just 2-3 months of treatment in patients with allergic asthma. Methods: A total of 45 patients with persistent mildmoderate allergic asthma due to sensitisation to D. pteronyssinus were included in a multi-centre, double-blind, placebocontrolled trial. Length of treatment was 4 months. After a period for adjusting medication in order to classify asthma severity appropriately, patients were commenced on treatment of 400 or 800 μg/day of budesonide as concomitant medication. Results: After 4 months of treatment there were no significant changes in the budesonide dose between the active group and the placebo group. In the active group there was a significant difference between active and placebo group in sIgG4 [p=.0003], as well as a significant increase in the cutaneous tolerance index [2.81, CI 95%: 1.29 – 7.48, which was significant with a Confidence Interval of 95%]. These changes were not observed in the placebo group. Conclusion: After just 4 months of treatment, SCIT was capable of inducing in vivo and in vitro changes, but these changes were not reflected in improved clinical outcome within the first 4 months of therapy.

Cite this article as:

Vidal Carmen, I. Tabar Ana, Figueroa Javier, A. Navarro Jose, Sanchez Cesarea, Orovitg Agustin, Armisen Margarita, Echechipia Susana, Joral Alejandro, Lizarza Susana, Teresa Lizaso Mª, Rodriguez Virginia and de la Torre Fernando, Assessment of Short-Term Changes Induced by a Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus Extract on Asthmatic Patients. Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial, Current Drug Delivery 2011; 8 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156720111794479871