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

Abstract

Background: House dust mite (HDM) allergens constitute the most frequent cause of persistent allergic rhinitis and asthma. The symptoms vary throughout the year but typically peak in spring, autumn and (to a lesser extent) midwinter. Methods: We performed a 13-month, observational, multicentre survey of adult patients with a self-reported history of moderate-to-severe, poorly controlled, physician-diagnosed HDM respiratory allergy in three European countries (France, Italy and Spain). After screening and inclusion, 28 detailed, fortnightly telephone interviews were used to gather extensive data on the participants' symptom prevalence and intensity, medical consultations, disease burden and medication use from late May 2012 to early July 2013. This report focuses on the disease burden. Results: Of the 22,995 screened participants, 313 met the inclusion criteria and completed the post-inclusion questionnaire (n = 114 in Italy, 92 in France and 107 in Spain). The median time since the first symptoms of HDM allergy was ≥ 13 years in each country. A relevant minority of the participants suffered from symptoms of HDM allergy every day or almost every day of the year (14% in Italy, 46% in France and 37% in Spain). According to the fortnightly telephone interviews, the most frequently impacted disease burden variables were sleep, daytime tiredness and irritability, with the highest values in spring 2012, autumn 2012 and spring 2013 (mirroring symptom intensities). Professional activities were more affected than social activities. The burden data were heterogeneous: around a quarter of participants were strongly or very strongly affected but most of the remaining participants were only rarely bothered or not bothered. Conclusions: In a 13-month, fortnightly survey of patients in France, Italy and Spain with a self-reported history of moderate-to-severe, poorly controlled, HDM-induced allergic rhinitis and asthma, we found that a relevant minority of participants regularly reported a severe or very severe impact of their allergy on tiredness, sleep and professional activities (including time off work). The disease burden peaked in autumn and late spring.

Clinical efficacy of sublingual allergen‐specific immunotherapy in 22 cats with atopic dermatitis

“…The prompt improvement was observed even though the cats were enrolled at different times of the year, so that seasonal variations in the concentrations of environmental mites were expected. 24 This trend continued throughout the study to the 12 month end-point.…”

“…Although more studies are required to assess differences with other species, the oral route was fast‐acting in the cats included in our study because clinical improvement was observed during the first three months of treatment in the vast majority of them [SCORFAD values improved in almost all included cats (19 of 22) and pVAS scores improved in 17 cats (Figures S2 and S3)]. The prompt improvement was observed even though the cats were enrolled at different times of the year, so that seasonal variations in the concentrations of environmental mites were expected 24 . This trend continued throughout the study to the 12 month end‐point.…”

Worsening of chronic house-dust-mite-induced respiratory allergies: An observational survey in three European countries

“…A total of 22 995 individuals were screened; 339 of these (1.5%) were included and 313 ( n = 114 in Italy, 92 in France, and 107 in Spain) completed the fortnightly study phase and the post-inclusion questionnaire. 12 , 13 The baseline characteristics of the study population have been published in our initial report on the study but are summarized here for convenience ( Supplemental Table 1 ). 12 , 13 As reported previously, the majority of participants (61% in Italy, and 79% in France and Spain) reported having another physician-diagnosed respiratory allergy (mainly due to grass pollen, followed by weed pollen, pet dander, and tree pollen).…”

“…In order to better characterize HDM-induced respiratory allergies from the patient's perspective, we performed a 13-month, observational, multicenter, Internet- and telephone-based survey of adult patients with a self-reported history of moderate-to-severe, poorly controlled, physician-diagnosed HDM respiratory allergy (but no other physician-diagnosed respiratory allergies) in 3 European countries (France, Italy, and Spain) from late May 2012 to early July 20, 13. 12 , 13 Briefly, a total of 22 995 people were screened; 339 were included in the study, and 313 (n = 114 in Italy, 92 in France, and 107 in Spain; 67% females, with a predominance of young adults; mean age: 37.2 years) completed the fortnightly telephone interview phase and the post-inclusion questionnaire. The study generated a large amount of data, some of which has already been reported: the study's methodology, the participants' baseline demographic and clinical characteristics, the changes in symptom prevalence and intensity, the disease burden, and medication use.…”

“…The study generated a large amount of data, some of which has already been reported: the study's methodology, the participants' baseline demographic and clinical characteristics, the changes in symptom prevalence and intensity, the disease burden, and medication use. 12 , 13 …”