Prevention of new sensitizations in monosensitized subjects submitted to specific immunotherapy or not. A retrospective study

• Published in: Clinical and experimental allergy 2001-08, Vol.31 (8), p.1295-1302
• Main Authors: Purello-D'Ambrosio, F., Gangemi, S., Merendino, R. A., Isola, S., Puccinelli, P., Parmiani, S., Ricciardi, L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Administration, Inhalation; Administration, Oral; Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists; Adult; Allergens - administration & dosage; Allergens - adverse effects; Allergens - immunology; Allergens - therapeutic use; allergy; Anti-Allergic Agents - administration & dosage; Anti-Allergic Agents - therapeutic use; Asthma - drug therapy; Asthma - immunology; Asthma - therapy; Biological and medical sciences; Contraindications; Desensitization, Immunologic - methods; Drug Administration Schedule; Epitopes - administration & dosage; Epitopes - adverse effects; Epitopes - immunology; Epitopes - therapeutic use; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Histamine H1 Antagonists - administration & dosage; Histamine H1 Antagonists - therapeutic use; Humans; Hypersensitivity, Delayed - etiology; Immunoglobulin E - immunology; Immunopathology; Immunotherapy (general aspects); Italy - epidemiology; Male; Medical sciences; monosensitization; polysensitization; prevention; Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2 - therapeutic use; respiratory symptoms; Retrospective Studies; Rhinitis - drug therapy; Rhinitis - immunology; Rhinitis - therapy; specific immunotherapy
• ISSN: 0954-7894; 1365-2222
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2222.2001.01027.x

Background Specific immunotherapy is the only currently available allergen‐orientated treatment able to modify the natural history of respiratory allergic diseases. Safety and clinical efficacy of this treatment are well documented, but evidence about the ability to reduce new sensitizations is still poor. Objective We report a retrospective study conducted in order to assess the prevention of new sensitizations in monosensitized subjects treated with specific immunotherapy vs. monosensitized patients treated with anti‐allergic drugs. Methods 8396 monosensitized patients with respiratory symptoms were selected according to an open, retrospective design. Group A included 7182 patients submitted to specific immunotherapy (and anti‐allergic drugs when needed) for 4 years and then treated with drugs for at least 3 years. Group B included 1214 patients treated only with drugs for at least 7 years. All patients underwent prick test with a standard panel of allergens and total and specific IgE determination before and after 4 years of treatment and again 3 years later. Results Groups were well balanced. Polysensitized subjects were 23.75% in Group A and 68.03% in Group B after 4 years (P