Allergic rhinitis: the eligible candidate to mite immunotherapy in the real world

Abstract

As standard drug treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR) is not completely satisfactory, allergen immunotherapy (AIT) represents the only current treatment with the potential to modify the natural history. House dust mite (HDM) allergy is very common. The aim of the current experience was to describe the clinical profile of HDM-allergic patients with AR who received AIT in a real world model, such as allergy clinics. Globally, 239 patients (126 adults and 113 children; 107 females and 132 males; mean age 21 years, age range 6–56 years) were evaluated. AIT was prescribed in 59 patients (24.7%), 44 adults (35%) and 15 children (13.3%). The current findings deriving from this real world multicentre study are consistent with previous investigations on HDM-AIT and define some clinical characteristics of the eligible candidate to this treatment. In fact, severity of ocular-nasal symptoms and over-use of symptomatic medications may typify the ideal candidate to HDM-AIT and SLIT was the preferred choice.

Real‐world evidence of subcutaneous allergoid immunotherapy in house dust mite‐induced allergic rhinitis and asthma

“…An Italian real‐world multi‐center observational survey in 17 allergy clinics found a share of children of 25% in the AIT group. However, the authors stated a higher share in pediatric patients was to be expected, which is in line with our data …”

“…Our findings compare favorably with this observation, as we found a high share of asthma patients at the therapy index date (mite allergoid: 36.9%; control: 41.7%). These results are comparable to the Italian real‐life data that showed that asthma was present in 41% of AIT‐treated patients …”

“…However, the authors stated a higher share in pediatric patients was to be expected, which is in line with our data. 36 This study achieved a mean follow-up duration of 3.4 years for the HDM allergoid and 3.9 years for controls. By achieving a follow-up period of at least 3 years, a sufficient follow-up duration was reached to demonstrate the full potential of AIT effectiveness.…”

The disease burden in patients with respiratory allergies induced by house dust mites: a year-long observational survey in three European countries

“…The frequent presence of asthma was also confirmed by a study of 1212 HDMallergic patients (median age: 22 years; 52% women) in France (one of the study countries in the present research) selected for allergen immunotherapy (AIT); 42% suffered from asthma [8]. Likewise, a study of HDMallergic, AIT-eligible patients in Italy (also a study country in the present research) found an asthma prevalence of 41% [9].…”

The Relevance of Nasal Cytology in the Workup of House Dust Mite-Induced Allergic Rhinitis

“… 2 Although AIT has long duration, expensive cost, and sometimes limited efficacy, there is the need to well define the characteristics of ideal eligible candidates for HDM-AIT as recently appointed. 3 On the other hand, AR may frequently be associated with other upper airway disorders, including nonallergic rhinitis (NAR). NAR presents symptoms caused by non-immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated pathogenesis.…”