Effect of HEPA filter air cleaners (IQAir®/Incleen®) in homes of asthmatic children and adolescents sensitised to cat and dog allergens

ISRCTN ISRCTN82127731
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN82127731
Secondary identifying numbers 91/99
Submission date
15/08/2007
Registration date
12/09/2007
Last edited
12/04/2021
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Respiratory
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Not provided at time of registration

Contact information

Dr Susanne Lau
Scientific

Charite Campus Virchow University Children's Hospital
Department of Pediatric Pneumology
Augustenburger Platz 1
Berlin
13353
Germany

Phone +49 (0)30 4506 66254
Email susanne.lau@gmx.net

Study information

Study designRandomised controlled trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Not specified
Study typeTreatment
Scientific titleEffect of HEPA filter air cleaners (IQAir®/Incleen®) in homes of asthmatic children and adolescents sensitised to cat and dog allergens
Study acronymHEPA
Study objectivesThe reduction of pet allergens in households of pet-sensitive asthmatic children with Hepa air filters reduces bronchial hyper-responsiveness after cold air challenge and possibly also pet allergen exposure after 6 and 12 months of treatment.
Ethics approval(s)Ethics approval received from the Ethics Committee of the Charite in May 1999.
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedAllergy and asthma
InterventionRecruitment took place 3 - 4 months before the treatment started. After randomisation patients were allocated to two groups: active and sham filters placed in the living and bedroom of families with a cat or dog sensitive asthmatic child.

Filters were placed in the homes on month 0 and changed after 6 months. Treatment period was 12 months. There was no follow up after the treatment. Dust samples of house dust were collected before the treatment started (inclusion criterion pet allergen exposure greater than 500 ng/g) and on month 0, 6 and 12. They were analysed for Fel d 1 and Can f 1 (pet allergens). Furthermore, we extracted the filters on month 6 and 12 and measured major allergens of cat and dog, Can f 1 and Fel d 1.

Clinical evaluation (lung function testing, cold air challenge, symptom score, medication, questionnaire on quality of life [published by Elizabeth Juniper]) took place on month 0, month 6 and 12.
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measureForced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1) after cold air challenge on month 0, 6 and 12.
Secondary outcome measures1. Symptom score
2. Quality of life questionnaire
3. Cat and dog allergen exposure in bulk dust and filters
4. Eosinophil Cationic Protein (ECP) levels in serum as a marker of inflammation

Secondary outcomes were measured on month 0, 6 and 12.
Overall study start date01/10/1999
Completion date31/10/2000

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupChild
Lower age limit6 Years
Upper age limit18 Years
SexNot Specified
Target number of participants36 enrolled, 3 participants had to be excluded due to bad compliance, 3 dropped out later. 30 finished the study.
Total final enrolment36
Key inclusion criteria1. Aged 6 to 18 years
2. Significant cat or dog allergen exposure greater than 500 ng/g in house dust
3. A doctor's diagnosis of asthma, sensitisation (serum Immunoglobulin E [IgE] to cat and/or dog)
Key exclusion criteria1. Systemic corticosteroids
2. Mite allergy above 0.7 KU/L
3. Missing consent of parents
Date of first enrolment01/10/1999
Date of final enrolment31/10/2000

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Germany

Study participating centre

Charite Campus Virchow University Children's Hospital
Berlin
13353
Germany

Sponsor information

Incen AG (Switzerland)
Industry

Blumenfeldtrasse 15
Goldach
CH-9403
Switzerland

Phone +41 (0)71 8440844
Email info@incen.com
Website http://www.incen.com

Funders

Funder type

Industry

Incen AG (Switzerland) - provided filter systems

No information available

Charite - University Medicine Berlin (Germany) - provided funding for nurses, doctors, students

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot provided at time of registration
Publication and dissemination planNot provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article 01/01/2009 12/04/2021 Yes No

Editorial Notes

12/04/2021: The following changes have been made:
1. Publication reference added.
2. The final enrolment number has been added from the reference.