Early Compliance and Efficacy of Sublingual Immunotherapy in Patients with Allergic Rhinitis for House Dust Mites

Abstract

ObjectivesSublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) has recently received much attention around the world as a treatment for allergic rhinitis. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and adverse effects of SLIT in Korean patients with allergic rhinitis caused by house dust mites. The treatment compliance and the patient satisfaction with SLIT were also assessed.MethodsThe patients who were sensitized to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae and who started SLIT between November 2007 and July 2008 were included in this study. The symptom questionnaires, which included items on rhinorrhea, sneezing, nasal obstruction, itchy nose, olfactory disturbance, eye discomfort and sleep disturbance, were obtained before and 6 months after SLIT. The patient satisfaction and the adverse effects were also investigated.ResultsOne hundred forty-two patients started SLIT and 98 of them continued SLIT for 6 months or more. Ninety-two of the 98 patients completed the questionnaires. The duration of receiving SLIT was 9.8 months on average (range, 6 to 13 months). All the symptoms of allergic rhinitis were improved with SLIT. Forty-five percent of the patients were satisfied for SLIT, while 12% were unsatisfied. The incidence of adverse effects was 12% during maintenance therapy, although it was 48% during the up-dosing phase. The drop-out rate of SLIT was 31.0%.ConclusionThe subjective symptoms were improved with SLIT in Korean patients with allergic rhinitis for house dust mites. Yet the drop out rate was high despite of the symptomatic improvement.

Comprehensive Study of Patients’ Compliance with Sublingual Immunotherapy in House Dust Mite Perennial Allergic Rhinitis

“…data are in agreement with several previously published studies of patients with PAR, which have reported the rates of around 70-80%[10,15,[17][18][19][20][21][22]. Another study has reported a higher compliance of approximately 97%[20].However, in that study, the patients counted the pills themselves and reported via a Variations caused by the method of compliance measurement were apparent in our study.…”

“…The available data on the patient adherence to allergen-specific immunotherapy are often conflicting [11,12]. In particular, in allergic rhinitis, compliance rates for sublingual administration range between 70% and 97% [10,[13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. This wide variation might be explained by differences in the characteristics and methodology of the studies, such as the population profiles and the definition of compliance [23].…”

Aspergillus Infections in the Head and Neck

“…Thus far, immunotherapy is the only therapeutic option that modifies the basic allergic mechanism by inducing desensitization and an anergy state for the allergen [21]. Recently, its administration through a sublingual route has greatly improved dispensation and compliance.…”

Patient satisfaction with the benefits of overactive bladder treatment: Exploration of influencing factors and development of a satisfaction assessment instrument

“…9,10 Although the impact on PRO measures caused by change in symptoms versus symptom/condition status at time of assessment was not directly compared, there are data from treatment of allergic rhinitis indicating that symptom severity and nasal condition at time of evaluation are closely associated with asthma treatment satisfaction. 10,11 Analysis of the 23 specific benefits assessed in the PSTB questionnaire showed that the highest satisfaction scores were seen with benefits more directly related to the symptoms of OAB (urgency, frequency, and incontinence), and increased bladder control, freedom, predictability, and confidence; aspects that are not commonly assessed in clinical studies but are important to patients. Conversely, satisfaction scores were lowest for indirect benefits that can be impacted by factors unrelated to OAB, such as improvement in sleep/ nocturia, energy levels, and attractiveness.…”