Mechanical Heat Recovery Ventilation on House Dust Mite Sensitive Asthma

Summary

Asthma has become increasingly common in the UK, demanding our consideration of the cause. Many patients with asthma are allergic to house dust mites, which thrive in modern housing. Improving ventilation in the home has been shown to reduce dust mite levels, by reducing humidity levels. It is hoped that, by removing the dust mites from homes, asthma may improve. In this study, 140 volunteers will have their carpets steam-cleaned and new allergy bedding provided, before a team of architects installs a ventilation system in the loft. Half of the units will be switched on at the beginning of the study. The other half will be switched on in 12 months time, but only the architects know which units are active. The medical team will compare the asthma, and measures of inflammation in the airways, over that year.

It is due for completion in April 2007.

Conditions

• Asthma

Interventions

DEVICE

Mechanical Heat Recovery Ventilation

De-humidification without loss of heat

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government

  collaborator OTHER_GOV

• North Lanarkshire Council

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• South Lanarkshire Council

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• North Glasgow Primary Care Trust

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Vent-axia Ltd

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Scottish Power

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Energy Action Scotland

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Communities Scotland

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• University of Glasgow

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Prof Neil C Thomson, MD FRCP · The University of Glasgow

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

QUADRUPLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

16 Years

Max Age

60 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2003-02-28

Completion

2007-04-30

Countries

• United Kingdom

Study Locations