Efficacy of the Plasma Cluster device in asthmatic and/or allergic rhinitis patients with house dust mite allergy: a prospective observational pilot study.
BACKGROUND
Mite allergy is an indoor allergen responsible for most respiratory allergies in the western world. Environmental control can modify disease activity in these patients.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the benefit of the Plasma Cluster device (Sharp, Japan) for inactivating and removing mites from the environment of patients diagnosed with either mite-sensitive perennial allergic rhinitis or mite-sensitive allergic asthma.


METHODS
Patients with AR (n=30) or AA (n=10) were enrolled into a prospective open observational 8 week study. The first 2 weeks involved initial evaluation, the following 4 weeks consisted of active usage of the device, and the last 2 weeks were designated for follow-up. Symptom scores (recorded daily by patients and during visits by physicians) were recorded and analyzed.


RESULTS
Patients with AR experienced a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in nasal discharge, post-nasal drip, nasal congestion, nasal itching, watery eyes, itchy eyes, headache, itchy ears, night disturbances and an improvement in general well-being during the last 2 days of the study compared to baseline. Patients with AA reported significant (P < 0.05) reduction in dyspnea, wheezing and the need to avoid dust mites. There was a significant (P < 0.05) improvement in mean peak expiratory flow rate at study closure compared to baseline.


CONCLUSIONS
Short-term usage of the Plasma Cluster device resulted in considerable clinical improvement and increased peak expiratory flow rate in patients with AR or AA. The findings of this pilot study warrant longer and controlled studies to determine the value of this device in the treatment of various allergic disorders.
Asthma and Allergy Center, Sourasky Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel. Allergy@tasmc.health.gov.il
Shmuel
S
Kivity
Daniel
D
Elbirt
Kobi
K
Sade
Dalia
D
Sthoeger
Zev
Z
Sthoeger
D000328:Adult; D000389:Air Conditioning / Q000295:instrumentation*; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005374:Filtration / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D039981:Pyroglyphidae; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014691:Ventilation / Q000295:instrumentation; D055815:Young Adult