Background:

In Latin America there are few data about the factors that influence the control and severity of asthma.

Objective:

To describe the association between IgE sensitization to intra-home allergens and housing conditions in the severity of asthma.

Methods:

Sensitization to aero-allergens was evaluated by skin prick test and socio-demographic data by a questionnaire in a population between 6 and 14 years of age with diagnosis of asthma. Asthma control was measured according to spirometric results and to the application of the ACT (Asthma Control Test); the severity and symptom control was evaluated according to the GINA guideline.

Results:

A total of 150 resident patients from the Aburra Valley (Colombia) were included. The median age of participants was 11 years, 95 (63.3 %) male. 92 % of the patients resided in the urban area. Mite sensitization was the most prevalent in controlled and uncontrolled patients. Sensitization to cockroach and some poverty conditions were risk factors for asthma severity.

Conclusion:

Poverty conditions appear to favor the development of severe asthma and in turn IgE sensitization to cockroaches. This sensitization could serve as a biomarker of severity.