|
SELECTED ARTICLES FROM THE RECENT LITERATURE 2006
10/4/06
Review of complementary and alternative medicine approaches in allergies and asthma
Summary
Background - A sizable percentage of individuals with allergic rhinitis (AR) and allergic asthma report having used self-chosen complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches for their allergic disorders. What is the evidence that different CAM approaches are effective in such disorders?
Findings - Passalacqua et al of several institutions in Italy carried out a systematic review of randomized clinical trials in this area. They found that the methodology in the reviewed studies was frequently inadequate. A meta analysis provided no clear evidence of the efficacy of acupuncture in AR and asthma. Both positive and negative results were found in controlled studies showed some efficacy of herbal remedies in AR and asthma but information from more and larger studies are needed. There are also unresolved safety concerns.
Reference
J Allergy Clin Immunol 2006;117:1054-62
Editor's Comments
The group of experienced clinicians who authored this report were apparently not impressed with the efficacy of CAM approaches described in the studies above. I have reviewed this report because there is a recurrence of interest and commentary in the US lay media about CAM approaches. Another recent review concluded that findings in small clinical trials suggested that CAM approaches may be helpful in AR and asthma; however, information from large multi-center trials are needed. (Curr pin Allergy Clin Immunol 2006;6:175-9).
|