Keywords: Adult asthma; indoor allergen sensitization; inhaled corticosteroids; montelukast; primary care

Aim:

Sensitization to indoor allergens such as mite, cat, and dog dander is common in adults with asthma; however, its relationship with disease duration and controller medication use remains unclear. We aimed to compare symptom duration and treatments used for asthma control according to indoor allergen sensitization status in adults with asthma.

Method:

A total of 52 adult patients with asthma who underwent skin prick testing were retrospectively evaluated. Thirty patients with at least one positive skin prick test result to an indoor allergen (mite, cat, or dog) were classified as the “indoor sensitization-positive” group, while 22 patients negative for all of these allergens were classified as the “indoor sensitization-negative” group. Symptom duration was converted from categorical clinical records (1–5 years, 5–10 years, 10–20 years, >20 years) into approximate median duration. Use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and montelukast was recorded as asthma controller medication use.

Results:

The median symptom duration was 7.5 years in the indoor sensitization-positive group and 15 years in the indoor sensitization-negative group. ICS use was present in 11 patients (36.7%) in the sensitization-positive group and in 12 patients (54.5%) in the sensitization-negative group. Montelukast use was observed in 14 patients (46.7%) and 15 patients (68.2%), respectively. Adults with asthma without indoor allergen sensitization appeared to have a longer disease history and higher ICS/montelukast use.

Conclusions:

Among adults with asthma, the group without sensitization to indoor allergens (mite, cat, and dog) showed longer disease duration and higher controller medication use. These findings suggest that some patients without indoor allergen sensitization may represent a distinct clinical pattern. In primary care, considering both disease duration and indoor allergen sensitization pattern in adults with asthma may help identify patients who could benefit from earlier referral to pulmonology and allergy clinics.