Study on alpine high-altitude climate treatment for asthma

The currently available European high altitude climatotherapy (HKT) programmes combine the physical properties of altitude with the avoidance of environmental factors in the alpine climate and a personalized, multidisciplinary approach to pulmonary rehabilitation.

The reduced barometric pressure, oxygen and air density, the relatively low temperature and humidity and the increased UV radiation at medium altitudes lead to various physiological and immunological adaptive responses. The environmental characteristics of the alpine climate include lower exposure to aeroallergens such as house dust mites, pollen and fungi, as well as lower levels of air pollution. These factors appear to have immunomodulatory effects by controlling pathogenic inflammatory responses and reducing neuro-immunological stress in patients with different asthma phenotypes.

The comprehensive multidisciplinary treatment program also contributes to the clinical improvement observed with HKT. These include better asthma control and quality of life, fewer exacerbations and hospitalizations, reduced need for oral corticosteroids, improved lung function, reduced bronchial hyperresponsiveness, increased exercise tolerance and improved sinus function.

Based on observational studies and expert opinion, HKT is a valuable therapy for patients who, despite all the advances in medicine and guideline-based treatment, do not achieve optimal control of their complex disease and are therefore at risk of falling into a downward spiral of physical and mental impairment. In view of the rapid onset of anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, HKT can be regarded as a natural therapy that specifically influences biological signaling pathways.