The effect of food elimination and probiotic supplementation in asthmatic children with food allergy

Abstract

Background: Both bronchial asthma and food allergy are comorbidities of increase prevalence and growing concern worldwide. Objectives: to detect the prevalence of food allergy in children with bronchial asthma, the effect of food elimination and probiotic supplementation on the clinical outcome of asthma and the quality of life (QOL). Methods: This randomized controlled trial included 226 children aged from 4 to 18, suffering from bronchial asthma, 88 of whom had associated food allergy. Patients who suffered food allergy as diagnosed by history, prick to prick test food elimination and oral food challenge test, were randomly divided into four groups, each comprised 22 children. Group (1): received pharmacological treatment only, group (2): received pharmacological treatment and probiotic supplementation, group (3): practiced food elimination and received pharmacotherapy, and Group (4): practiced food elimination and received probiotic supplementation and pharmacological therapy. For patients in all groups, grading of asthma severity, measurement of total IgE and Pediatric Asthma quality of life questionnaire (PAQLQ) were performed before and after 6 months at the end of the study. Results: There were significant statistical improvements of severity of asthma, total serum IgE level and QOL for all groups before and after intervention. The best outcome was achieved in children who practiced avoidance of food allergen(s) and took probiotic supplementation in addition to the pharmacological therapy (p <0.001). Conclusion: Diagnosis of food allergy in asthmatic children is mandatory and combining pharmacological therapy, avoidance of the offended food allergen and intake of probiotics are encouraged