Abstract
Background: Sublingual administration of allergens is a safe and effective alternative to subcutaneous immunotherapy in patients with respiratory allergies. A drawback to this therapeutic approach is the relatively long and complex management of the induction phase. Aim of the study: To determine whether different induction regimens affect the outcome of sublingual immunotherapy. Methods and results: Adult and pediatric patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and/or asthma were included in the study. Ten subjects served as controls and received symptomatic treatments. Forty-three subjects were allocated to sublingual immunotherapy, with three different induction protocols (8-, 15-and 20-day, respectively). Symptom and medication scores, skin test results and (in asthmatic patients) FEV1 values were monitored for two years. Adverse effects were recorded. All induction regimens produced a significant improvement in symptom and medication usage (p <0.0001); skin test scores decreased (p <0.0001) and FEV1 improved (p <0.05). In contrast, symptom and skin test scores did not significantly change in controls. No relevant adverse effects were observed with any of the induction regimens. Conclusions: For patients with respiratory allergies, sublingual immunotherapy with an 8-day induction protocol is safe and effective. Our results encourage the usage of shorter induction regimens, which produce better compliance with this therapy.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 329-337 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Allergologia et Immunopathologia |
Volume | 31 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Dec 2003 |
Keywords
- Allergy
- Effectiveness
- Induction protocol
- Safety
- Sublingual immunotherapy
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology and Allergy