Abstract
Background: Allergic reaction is characterized by a complex inflammatory process. Some of the new antihistamines have antiallergic effects and can affect the inflammatory cell recruitment via adhesion molecule downregulation. We aimed to assess in a 12-month study whether continuous treatment with an antihistamine (terrenadine) can reduce respiratory symptoms and local inflammation in children with mite allergy. Methods: The study was double-blind and placebo-controlled: it involved two parallel groups of children suffering from rhinoconjunctivitis and/or mild intermittent asthma due to mite allergy. They received either terfenadine (1 mg/kg per body weight per day) or placebo for 1 year. Nasal, conjunctival, and bronchial symptoms were recorded by diary cards; at each of the programmed control visits, a nasal scraping for inflammatory cells and ICAM-1 was performed. Some additional clinical parameters were also recorded: days of school absence, extra visits for acute respiratory symptoms, and days of hospital admission. Results: Only children treated with terfenadine achieved significant control of symptoms (P
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 358-365 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Allergy: European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology |
Volume | 54 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1999 |
Keywords
- Adhesion molecules
- Allergic inflammation
- Antihistamines
- Long-term treatment
- Mite allergy
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology