The effect on patients with asthma of eradicating visible indoor mould - a randomised control trial

Burr, Michael Leslie, Matthews, Ian Price, Arthur, Robert Alan, Watson, H. L., Gregory, Clive James ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4876-3982, Dunstan, Frank David John ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1043-5281 and Palmer, Stephen Royston 2007. The effect on patients with asthma of eradicating visible indoor mould - a randomised control trial. Thorax 62 (9) , pp. 767-772. 10.1136/thx.2006.070847

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Abstract

Background: It is not clear whether associations between respiratory symptoms and indoor mould are causal. A randomised controlled trial was conducted to see whether asthma improves when indoor mould is removed. Methods: Houses of patients with asthma were randomly allocated into two groups. In one group, indoor mould was removed, fungicide was applied and a fan was installed in the loft. In the control group, intervention was delayed for 12 months. Questionnaires were administered and peak expiratory flow rate was measured at baseline, 6 months and 12 months. Results: Eighty-one houses were allocated to the intervention group and 83 to the control group; 95 participants in 68 intervention houses and 87 in 63 control houses supplied follow-up information. Peak expiratory flow rate variability declined in both groups, with no significant differences between them. At 6 months, significantly more of the intervention group showed a net improvement in wheeze affecting activities (difference between groups 25%, 95% CI 3% to 47%; p?=?0.028), perceived improvement of breathing (52%, 95% CI 30% to 74%; p<0.0001) and perceived reduction in medication (59%, 95% CI 35% to 81%; p<0.0001). By 12 months the intervention group showed significantly greater reductions than the controls in preventer and reliever use, and more improvement in rhinitis (24%, 95% CI 9% to 39%; p?=?0.001) and rhinoconjunctivitis (20%, 95% CI 5% to 36%; p?=?0.009). Conclusions: Although there was no objective evidence of benefit, symptoms of asthma and rhinitis improved and medication use declined following removal of indoor mould. It is unlikely that this was entirely a placebo effect.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Medicine
ISSN:	0040-6376
Last Modified:	17 Oct 2022 08:35
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/527

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