Temperature-controlled laminar airflow (TLA) device in the treatment of children with severe atopic eczema: Open-label, proof-of-concept study
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Accepted version
Supporting information
Author(s)
Gore, Claudia
Gore, Robin B
Fontanella, Sara
Haider, Sadia
Custovic, Adnan
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Children with severe, persistent atopic eczema (AE) have limited treatment options, often requiring systemic immunosuppression. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of the temperature-controlled laminar airflow (TLA) treatment in children/adolescents with severe AE. METHODS: We recruited 15 children aged 2-16 years with longstanding, severe AE and sensitization to ≥1 perennial inhalant allergen. Run-in period of 6-10 weeks (3 visits), was followed by 12-month treatment with overnight TLA (Airsonett® , Sweden). The primary outcome was eczema severity (SCORAD-Index and Investigator Global Assessment-IGA). Secondary outcomes included child/family dermatology quality of life and family impact questionnaires (CDQLI, FDQLI, DFI), patient oriented eczema measure (POEM), medication requirements, and healthcare contacts. The study is registered as ISRCTN65865773. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in AE severity ascertained by SCORAD and IGA during the 12-month intervention period (P<0.001). SCORAD was reduced from a median of 34.9 [interquartile range 28.75-45.15] at baseline to 17.2 [12.95-32.3] at the final visit, and IGA improved significantly from 4 [3-4] to 2 [1-3]. We observed a significant improvement in FDQLI (16.0 [12.25-19.0] to 12 [8-18], P=0.023) and DFI (P=0.011), but not CDQLI or POEM. Compared to 6-month period prior to enrollment, there was a significant reduction at six months after the start of the intervention in potent topical corticosteroids (P=0.033). The exploratory cluster analysis revealed two strongly divergent patterns of response, with 9 patients classified as responders, and 6 as non-responders. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Addition of TLA device to standard pharmacological treatment may be an effective add-on to the management of difficult-to-control AE. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Date Issued
2018-05-01
Date Acceptance
2018-01-31
Citation
Clinical and Experimental Allergy, 2018, 48 (5), pp.594-603
ISSN
0954-7894
Publisher
Wiley
Start Page
594
End Page
603
Journal / Book Title
Clinical and Experimental Allergy
Volume
48
Issue
5
Copyright Statement
© 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Gore, C., Gore, R. B., Fontanella, S., Haider, S. and Custovic, A. (), Temperature-controlled laminar airflow (TLA) device in the treatment of children with severe atopic eczema: Open-label, proof-of-concept study. Clin Exp Allergy. Accepted Author Manuscript., which has been published in final form at https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/cea.13105. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance With Wiley Terms and Conditions for self-archiving.
Subjects
Atopic eczema
aeroallergen exposure
allergen avoidance
environmental control
particle reduction
temperature controlled laminar airflow
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2018-01-31