title: Feather bedding and childhood asthma associated with house dust mite sensitisation: a randomised controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Observational studies report inverse associations between the use of feather upper bedding (pillow and/or quilt) and asthma symptoms but there is no randomised controlled trial (RCT) evidence assessing the role of feather upper bedding as a secondary prevention measure.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether, among children not using feather upper bedding, a new feather pillow and feather quilt reduces asthma severity among house dust mite (HDM) sensitised children with asthma over a 1-year period compared with standard dust mite avoidance advice, and giving children a new mite-occlusive mattress cover.
  
  
  METHODS
  RCT.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Calvary Hospital in the Australian Capital Territory and the Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, New South Wales.
  
  
  METHODS
  197 children with HDM sensitisation and moderate to severe asthma. Intervention New upper bedding duck feather pillow and quilt and a mite-occlusive mattress cover (feather) versus standard care and a mite-occlusive mattress cover (standard).
  
  
  METHODS
  The proportion of children reporting four or more episodes of wheeze in the past year; an episode of speech-limiting wheeze; or one or more episodes of sleep disturbance caused by wheezing; and spirometry with challenge testing. Statistical analysis included multiple logistic and linear regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No differences between groups were found for primary end points--frequent wheeze (OR 1.51, 95% CI 0.83 to 2.76, p=0.17), speech-limiting wheeze (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.32 to 1.48, p=0.35), sleep disturbed because of wheezing (OR 1.17, 95% CI 0.64 to 2.13, p=0.61) or for any secondary end points. Secondary analyses indicated the intervention reduced the risk of sleep being disturbed because of wheezing and severe wheeze to a greater extent for children who slept supine.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No differences in respiratory symptoms or lung function were observed 1 year after children with moderate-severe asthma and HDM sensitisation were given a mite-occlusive mattress cover and then received either feather upper bedding (pillow and quilt) or standard bedding care.
authors: The Australian National University, Acton, 0200 ACT, Australia. nicholas.glasgow@anu.edu.au
authors: Nicholas J
authors: NJ
authors: Glasgow
authors: Anne-Louise
authors: AL
authors: Ponsonby
authors: Andrew
authors: A
authors: Kemp
authors: Euan
authors: E
authors: Tovey
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: van Asperen
authors: Karen
authors: K
authors: McKay
authors: Samantha
authors: S
authors: Forbes
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001512:Bedding and Linens / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D004391:Dust / Q000276:immunology; D005241:Feathers; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011187:Posture; D039981:Pyroglyphidae / Q000276:immunology*; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000209:etiology; D012882:Skin Tests / Q000379:methods; D012890:Sleep
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D004391:Dust