The researchers aimed to elucidate characteristics that could be used to distinguish between allergic and non-allergic asthma in children.
They examined the records of 321 children with asthma who had undergone skin testing for allergens. There was no difference between those with allergic and non-allergic asthma with regard to family history, home tobacco smoke exposure, age of asthma onset, gender, rate of obesity or asthma severity.
The authors said that all asthmatic children should undergo allergy testing to identify those at risk and avoid unnecessary environmental interventions in non-allergic patients.
Sinisgalli S, Collins MS, Schramm CM. Asthma 2011
