Efficacy of indoor air purification in treating Artemisia (mugwort) pollen allergic rhinitis: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Abstract

BackgroundAllergic rhinitis (AR) is a worldwide health problem. Allergen avoidance is strongly recommended for AR patients. Air purification can reduce concentrations of particles in indoor air, including those of allergens. Air purifiers have been recommended by clinicians for AR patients, but few studies have focused on the removal of airborne allergens from home environments. Such studies have been limited by a lack of blinding, small samples, or a failure to measure allergen levels, disease activity, or a combination of these factors. This study investigates the efficacy of a high-efficiency air purifier in reducing disease activity in the homes of AR patients sensitive to the allergens produced by Artemisia (mugwort) pollen.MethodsThis is a randomized, double-blind, clinical controlled trial that will test active and inactive versions of an air purifier (Atmosphere®; Amway China). Sixty AR patients sensitive to the allergens produced by Artemisia pollen will be assigned randomly to two groups of equal numbers. All patients will undergo a 4-week treatment period and a 4-week observation period. Evaluation will be conducted at baseline (day 0) and on days 7, 14, 21, 28, and 56. The primary outcome measure will be the difference in visual analog scale scores from baseline. Secondary outcomes will be changes from baseline in nasal symptoms, allergy symptom scores, responses to the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire, Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores, and tolerability scores for the air purifier. Side effects of treatment will be recorded.DiscussionReducing exposure to allergens can reduce the risk of conditions such as AR. We hypothesise that AR patients sensitive to the allergens produced by Artemisia pollen will not suffer symptoms in a pollen-free environment. AR patients can remove pollen from their homes using air purifiers, decreasing the risk of symptoms. We expect that our study results will provide reliable evidence for determining the effects of air-purification therapy.Trial registrationChiCTR-INR-17012481. (Retrospectively registered 26 August 2017).

Investigation of Allergic Sensitization Pattern in 4,203 Children in Northern China

“…The most common aeroallergen detected in our study was artemisia (14.47%), which is not consistent with the highest dust mite reported in other Chinese regions [5][6][7][8][9]. Moreover, the positive rate of artemisia was mounting up from spring to autumn and reached its maximum (29.09%) in August, which is the growing season of Artemisia.…”

“…These results suggest that children in the region should wear masks to avoid exposure to these seasonal allergens. Some studies also showed indoor air purifiers used could improve nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, tearing, and other allergy symptoms [8]. The following aeroallergen was cat dander.…”

Efficacy of indoor air purification in the treatment of Artemisia pollen‐allergic rhinitis: A randomised, double‐blind, clinical controlled trial

“…The study protocol and details of the physiological and biochemical assessments undertaken have been described previously . This study was implemented in Yulin City from June 2016 to September 2018.…”

“…The study protocol and details of the physiological and biochemical assessments undertaken have been described previously. 13 This study was implemented in Yulin City from June 2016 to September 2018. We enrolled patients with AR, based on the definition outlined by ARIA, 14 and those who showed sensitivity to the allergens of Artemisia pollen in the recruitment radioallergosorbent test (RAST).…”

Alerginis Rinitas: Diagnostika Ir Gydymas

“…Nuolatinis AR trunka daugiau nei 4 dienas per savaitę arba ilgiau nei 4 savaites. Sergant NAR, svarbu nustatyti konkrečius alergenus, kuriems įsijautrinama ir tinkamai prižiūrėti patalpų orą [24]. Nuolatinio AR klinika ne visada gali būti tokia ryški, kaip sergant sezoniniu AR, todėl medikamentinis gydymas gali skirtis.…”