Long-Term Efficacy of Sublingual Immunotherapy in Patients With Perennial Rhinitis

• Published in: The Laryngoscope 2007-06, Vol.117 (6), p.965-969
• Main Authors: Tahamiler, Rauf, Saritzali, Gkioukxel, Canakcioglu, Salih
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Administration, Sublingual; Adolescent; Adult; Allergens - administration & dosage; Allergens - therapeutic use; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Desensitization, Immunologic - methods; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Immunoglobulin E - immunology; long-term follow-up; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Nasal Mucosa - immunology; Nasal Provocation Tests; Non tumoral diseases; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; perennial allergic rhinitis; Pyroglyphidae - immunology; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial - diagnosis; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial - immunology; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial - therapy; Severity of Illness Index; Skin Tests; Sublingual immunotherapy; Time Factors; Upper respiratory tract, upper alimentary tract, paranasal sinuses, salivary glands: diseases, semeiology
• ISSN: 0023-852X; 1531-4995
• DOI: 10.1097/MLG.0b013e31804f8141

Background: Sublingual immunotherapy has a documented clinical efficacy, but only a few long‐term studies have been performed in people with perennial rhinitis. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long‐term efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy. Methods: One hundred thirty‐seven patients with allergies to house dust mites were treated with sublingual house dust‐mite‐specific immunotherapy for 2 or 3 years and were also observed for 3 years after discontinuation of the treatment. The patients were divided into 2 groups: group A (67 patients) received active treatment for 2 years and then 1 year for placebo, and group B (70 patients) received active treatment for 3 years. The success of the treatment was evaluated with the symptom score, skin prick test results, and the nasal allergen challenge score. Results: According to our study results, we found a greater improvement in the 3 years of sublingual immunotherapy compared with the 2 years of sublingual immunotherapy when we looked at the comparative results of the total 6 years. Conclusion: We suggest 3 years of sublingual immunotherapy for patients with perennial allergic rhinitis who require immunotherapy and do not accept the subcutaneous route of allergen administration.