News Release

New study reveals allergy shots could help millions of children and adults with asthma

Peer-Reviewed Publication

Public Communications Inc.

Arlington Heights, Ill. (April 10, 2000) ‹ Allergy shots could help millions of adults and children with allergic asthma control or reduce their asthma symptoms, improve their lung function and decrease their reliance on medication, according to a new study published in the current issue of the journal Clinical Therapeutics.

The research was an analysis of 24 previous studies, involving 962 participants, in which allergy shots (also called immunotherapy) were used to treat patients with allergic asthma, a condition in which asthma attacks are triggered by allergic reactions to various substances. The meta-analysis of the studies was conducted under the auspices of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI).

"The composite data demonstrate that allergy shots are an effective treatment option for a large number of people with asthma, confirming what many allergist-immunologists have seen firsthand," said Ira Finegold, MD, past-president of the ACAAI and co-author of the new meta- analysis.

Asthma is a chronic inflammation of the lung airways characterized by coughing, chest tightness, wheezing and shortness of breath. Although the cause is not known and there is no cure for asthma, certain triggers are known to bring on asthma attacks. About 17 million people in this country have asthma, and experts estimate that at least half of all adult asthmatics (and an even greater proportion in children) have asthma that is triggered by allergens, such as pollen, dust mites, animal dander and mold.

Allergy shots have been available in some form for more than 80 years and are a well accepted and effective treatment for people with allergies such as allergic rhinitis (hay fever) or year- round sensitivities to allergens such as dust mites. Despite the large number of studies showing consistently positive results, allergy shots have not been widely used to treat asthma. The shots naturally desensitize the immune system by periodically injecting and gradually increasing small amounts of purified extracts of the substance that triggers allergic reactions. Over the course of treatment, the patient becomes immune to the allergens.

The ACAAI commissioned the research as part of an effort to document the effectiveness of immunotherapy in treating a variety of allergic diseases, including asthma, and to raise awareness among health care professionals and the public. As part of the effort, the ACAAI is making copies of the study available to health care practitioners and is planning a conference of experts to further study immunotherapy for asthma.

"We hope this research will help more patients bring their asthma symptoms under control and prevent the long-term damage asthma can do to the lungs," said Dr. Finegold.

In the 24 studies involving 962 randomly selected asthmatic patients, approximately half received allergy shots and the others received a placebo injection. The clinical effectiveness of allergy shots in treating allergic asthma was determined by the following benefits: controlled or reduced asthma symptoms, improved lung function, reduced inflammation of the lungs' airways and reduced need for asthma medication.

Twelve of the 24 studies involved only adults, and 75 percent of those studies (9 of 12) found allergy shots to be effective in treating adult asthma. Ten of the 24 studies looked only at children; 7 of those 10 studies (70 percent) found immunotherapy to be effective in treating pediatric asthma. The remaining two studies did not specify patient age.

"We don't have all the answers yet why most asthmatic patients are helped by allergy shots, but a few are not," said Dr. Finegold. "We do know it is important for asthmatic patients to see an allergist-immunologist to help identify if their asthma is caused by allergens or non-allergic factors such as viral infections, irritants or exercise. Patients who have asthma with a significant allergic component will almost certainly be helped by allergy shots."

###


Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.