Evidence of the efficacy and safety of house dust mite subcutaneous immunotherapy in elderly allergic rhinitis patients: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial

Allergen-specific immunotherapy at the extremes of age: below 5 years and elderly: evidence beyond indications?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) has been used in clinical practice to treat allergic diseases for over 100 years. The effectiveness and safety of AIT have been substantiated in numerous studies; however, children before 5 years of age and elderly are not encompassed generally. This review aims to present the current understanding of AIT in the extremes of age.

RECENT FINDINGS

Early allergen immunotherapy during infancy or early childhood may prevent the development of allergic sensitization to common allergens, thereby reducing the risk of developing allergic diseases later in life. In the elderly, improved symptoms and quality of life and reduced dependence on medication are indicated the importance on the implementation of AIT. Both clinical and immunological parameters demonstrated that the treatment was effective at the time of cessation and trend to sustained tolerance.

SUMMARY

There is no specific lower or upper age limit for initiating immunotherapy; however, it is important to thoroughly evaluate the severity of disease and the risks and benefits in each case.

Focused allergic rhinitis practice parameter for Canada

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a prevalent disease in Canada that affects both children and adults. Several guidelines for the management of AR have been published by professional allergy societies worldwide. However, there are regional differences in the clinical management of AR, and regulatory approval of some AR pharmacotherapies varies among countries. Thus, six research questions specific to the treatment of AR in Canada were identified for this focused practice parameter. Reviews of the literature published since 2016 were conducted to obtain evidence-based support for the responses of the Work Group to each research question. In response to research question 1 "In patients with symptoms indicative of AR, is serum-specific IgE sufficient to identify candidates for immunotherapy or is a skin prick test mandatory?" the Work Group concluded that either sIgE testing or skin prick test are acceptable for diagnosing AR and guiding immunotherapy. In response to research question 2 "When taking into account the preferences of the patient and the prescriber (stakeholder engagement) should second-generation oral antihistamine (OAH) or intranasal corticosteroid (INCS) be first line?" the Work Group concluded that existing guidelines generally agree on the use of INCS as a first-line therapy used for AR, however, patient and provider preferences and considerations can easily shift the first choice to a second-generation OAH. In response to research question 3 "Is a combination intranasal antihistamine (INAH)/INCS formulation superior to INCS plus OAH? Do they become equivalent after prolonged use?" the Work Group concluded that that the combination INAH/INCS is superior to an INCS plus OAH. However, there was insufficient evidence to answer the second question. In response to research question 4 "Do leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRA) have a greater benefit than OAH in AR for some symptoms to justify a therapeutic trial in those who cannot tolerate INCS?" the Work Group concluded that LTRAs have inferior, or at best equivalent, daytime or overall symptom control compared with OAH, but LTRAs may improve nighttime symptom control and provide benefits in patients with AR and concomitant asthma. In response to research question 5 "Should sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) tablets be considered first-line immunotherapeutic options over subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) based on the evidence of efficacy?" the Work Group concluded that the choice of SLIT or SCIT cannot be made on efficacy alone, and differences in other factors outweigh any differences in efficacy. In response to research question 6 "Based on efficacy data, should ALL patients seen by an allergist be offered SLIT or SCIT as a treatment option?" the Work Group concluded that the efficacy data suggests that SLIT or SCIT should be used broadly in patients with AR, but other clinical concerns also need to be taken into consideration.

The evidence for commercial house dust mite immunotherapy products: A pragmatic systematic review with narrative synthesis

House dust mite (HDM) allergen immunotherapy (AIT) has an established role in the treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis (AR) and allergic asthma (AA) triggered by HDM sensitization. We aimed to identify all double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials of HDM AIT for the treatment of AR and AA in humans and to summarize the evidence for AIT products that are currently manufactured and available for clinical use. A total of 56 eligible double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials of HDM AIT for the treatment of AA and/or AR in humans fit the inclusion criteria and investigated a total of 14 commercial AIT products; together, the 56 studies enrolled a total of 14,619 patients. Of the 56 studies, 39 studies investigated the current manufacturer-recommended maintenance dose (MRMD) of the product, and 17 investigated other doses. We identified 39 studies (12,539 patients randomized) for 8 sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) products and 17 studies (2,080 patients randomized) for subcutaneous immunotherapy products. For AR, 3 products, the ALK 12 standardized-quality (SQ-HDM) SLIT tablet, the ALK 6 SQ-HDM tablet, and the SG 300 index of reactivity SLIT tablet, had both dose-finding studies (DFSs) and phase III definitive studies (DSs) to demonstrate efficacy of the MRMD of the product. For AA, 2 products, the ALK 12 SQ-HDM SLIT tablet and the ALK 6 SQ-HDM tablet, had both DFSs and DSs for the MRMD. No subcutaneous immunotherapy product had a paired DFS and DS supporting the MRMD. A total of 30 studies of products no longer commercially manufactured were excluded. This study will help to inform clinical care and product selection for the treatment of HDM-induced AR and AA.

Molecular profiling of allergen-antibody IgE might decide about the efficacy of allergen immunotherapy in a patient with atopic dermatitis and allergy to house dust mites

Introduction

Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) has no clear recommendation for atopic dermatitis (AD).

Aim

To evaluate the effect of AIT on house dust mites (HDM) in AD patients sensitised to HDM with different baseline molecular profiles of antigens.

Material and methods

In this placebo-controlled study, 61 patients with moderate-to-severe AD allergy symptoms and HDM allergy were included. They received a 12 months' AIT with the use of HDM allergen extract or placebo. The authors adopted their AD improvement criterion after 1 year of AIT as a reduction of all examined indicators by at least 50% from the baseline for %BSA, TMS, and EASI scores. Additionally, the influence of individual HDM molecules on the final AIT effect was analysed.

Results

Finally, from the 24 desensitised patients, 15 achieved a positive expected effect after 12 months of HDM AIT. None of the patients who received a placebo had an improvement in AD of at least 50% after 1 year of follow-up. Patients with polysensitisation less frequently achieved the expected HDM AIT effect than patients monosensitised to mites (p < 0.05). The presence of sensitisation to rDer p 1 (odds ratio = 4.35, 95% CI: 4.01-4.56) and/or rDer p 2 (OR = 2.16, 95% CI: 1.98-2.33) and/or rDer f 2 (OR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.55-1.78) molecules significantly increased the efficacy of AIT. HDM AIT could be helpful for patients with moderate-to-severe AD and sensitised to HDM as an add-on therapy. Various HDM molecules may affect the effectiveness of the expected AIT effect. The presence of sensitisation to rDer p 1 (OR = 4.35, 95% CI: 4.01-4.56) and/or rDer p 2 (OR = 2.16, 95% CI: 1.98-2.33) and/or rDer f 2 (OR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.55-1.78) molecules significantly increased the efficacy of AIT.

Conclusions

HDM AIT could be helpful for patients with moderate-to-severe AD and sensitised to HDM as an add-on therapy. Various HDM molecules may affect the effectiveness of the expected AIT.

Clinical outcomes of AIT in the elderly population

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review aims to present the current knowledge on the effectiveness and safety of allergen immunotherapy (AIT) in patients over 60 years of age with inhalant allergies.

RECENT FINDINGS

Over the last 10 years, the problem of immunoglobulin E allergy in seniors has been noticed by many authors. At the same time, in the 1990s, trials of desensitization to selected inhalant allergens were started, obtaining evidence of the effectiveness of AIT, both with the use of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) and injection immunotherapy (SCIT), in patients over 60 years of age with allergic rhinitis. Such data have been confirmed for AITs for grasses, birch, and house dust mites. Currently, these patients are being monitored to assess the long-term effect of AIT. All available observations confirm the high safety of AIT in seniors.

SUMMARY

Seniors with allergic rhinitis or asthma may qualify for AIT if they do not have contraindications. These patients can experience a sustained clinical benefit even after completing AIT treatment. Studies indicate that injectable and sublingual routes of administration may be effective in this age group, provided the suspect allergen is accurately diagnosed.

ARIA Care Pathways 2019: Next-Generation Allergic Rhinitis Care and Allergen Immunotherapy in Malaysia

An increase in the prevalence of allergic rhinitis (AR) worldwide presents a significant burden to the health care system. An initiative was started in Europe designated as Allergic Rhinitis and Its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) to develop internationally applicable guidelines by utilising an evidence-based approach to address this crucial issue. The efforts are directed at empowerment of patients for self-management, the use of digital mobile technology to complement and personalise treatment, and establishment of real-life integrated care pathways (ICPs). This guideline includes aspects of patients' and health care providers' management and covers the main areas of treatment for AR. The model provides better real-life health care than the previous traditional models. This review summarises the ARIA next-generation guideline in the context of the Malaysian health care system.

Current advances in house dust mite allergen immunotherapy (AIT): Routes of administration, biomarkers and molecular allergen profiling

Allergy to house dust mites (HDM) is a perennial respiratory disease that affect more than half a billion people worldwide. Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and D. farinae, two HDM species, are major sources of indoor allergens triggering allergic inflammation. Although symptomatic drugs are widely used to block the allergic reaction, allergen immunotherapy is the only curative treatment of IgE-mediated type I respiratory allergies. In this article, we review recent advances in various routes of allergen immunotherapy. We particularly focus on subcutaneous (SCIT) and sublingual (SLIT) immunotherapy, used as a reference therapy since they have transformed allergic treatments by improving symptoms (asthma and rhinitis) as well as the quality of life of patients. We also highlight recent data in more exploratory routes (i.e., oral, intralymphatic, epicutaneous and intradermal) and discuss respective advantages of various route, as well as their foreseen modes of action. Finally, we provide an update on biomarkers as well as on the relevance of the molecular profiling of allergic individuals related to treatment efficacy or asthma prediction.

Efficacy of Subcutaneous and Sublingual Immunotherapy for House Dust Mite Allergy: A Network Meta-Analysis-Based Comparison

BACKGROUND

Meta-analyses comparing the efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) and subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) for house dust mite allergy are lacking.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy of SLIT drops, SLIT tablets, and SCIT in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis through network analysis.

METHODS

Frequentist network meta-analyses estimated the standardized mean difference (SMD) across the three immunotherapy modalities on allergic rhinitis symptom and medication score data from double-blind randomized clinical trials. Random effects models were investigated.

RESULTS

We included 26 double-blind randomized clinical trials in this meta-analysis for the symptom score and 18 for the medication score. In the direct pairwise meta-analysis, a significant reduction of the symptom score was observed for all immunotherapy modalities compared with the placebo: pooled SMDs of -0.461 (95% confidence interval [CI], -0.795 to -0.127) for SLIT drop, -0.329 (95% CI, -0.426 to -0.231) for SLIT tablet, and -1.669 (95% CI, -2.753 to -0.585) for SCIT. For the medication score, a significant reduction was observed for all modalities. In network meta-analysis, the clinical efficacy of SCIT based on the symptom score was greater than for SLIT drop or SLIT tablet (SMD: -0.697, 95% CI, -1.105 to -0.288; and SMD: -0.819, 95% CI, -1.242 to -0.397). However, there was no significant difference in the symptom score between SLIT drop and SLIT tablet.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated the clinical efficacy of all house dust mite immunotherapy modalities and suggests that SCIT may be more effective than SLIT drops or tablets in controlling symptoms of allergic rhinitis.

Turkish Guideline for Diagnosis and Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis (ART)

OBJECT

To prepare a national guideline for Otorhinolaryngologist who treat allergic rhinitis patients.

METHODS

The study was conducted by three authors, namely the writing support team. The support team made the study plan, determined the writing instructions, chose the subgroups including the advisory committee, the advisors for authors and the authors. A workshop was organized at the very beginning to explain the details of the study to the team. Advisors took the chance to meet their coworkers in their subgroups and determined the main headings and subheadings of the guideline, together with the authors. After key words were determined by the authors, literature search was done in various databases. The authors keep in touch with the advisors and the advisors with the advisory committee and the support group at every stage of the study. National and International published articles as well as the abstracts of unpublished studies, imperatively presented in National Congresses, were included in this guideline. Only Guideline and meta-analyses published in last seven years (2013-2017) and randomized controlled studies published in last two years (2015-2017) were included. After all work was completed by the subgroups, support team brought all work together and edited the article.

RESULTS

A detailed guideline about all aspects of allergic rhinitis was created.

CONCLUSION

The authors believe that this guideline will enable a compact and up-to-date information on allergic rhinitis to healthcare professionals. This guideline is the first in the field of Otolaryngology in Turkey. It should be updated at regular intervals.

Subcutaneous Versus Sublingual Immunotherapy for Adults with Allergic Rhinitis: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analyses

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) or sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) better improves patient outcomes and quality of life for adults with allergic rhinitis or rhinoconjunctivitis (AR/C) with or without mild to moderate asthma.

METHODS

Systematic review methodology was based on the Cochrane Collaboration handbook and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses. Four databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Web of Science) were queried from inception to July 30, 2020. Two independent reviewers screened potentially relevant studies and assessed risk of bias. Outcomes of interest were symptom score (SS), medication score (MS), combined symptom medication score (CSMS), and Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ). Meta-analyses with an adjusted indirect comparison were conducted in RevMan 5.4.1.

RESULTS

Seven SCIT versus SLIT randomized controlled trials (RCTs) demonstrated no significant differences for any outcomes, but insufficient data precluded direct meta-analysis. For the adjusted indirect comparison, 46 RCTs over 39 studies were included for SCIT versus placebo (n = 13) and SLIT versus placebo (n = 33). Statistically significant results favoring SCIT were found for SS (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.40; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.31-0.49), MS (SMD = 0.26; 95% CI = 0.14-0.39), CSMS (SMD = 0.42; 95% CI = 0.17-0.67), and RQLQ (MD = 0.24; 95% CI = 0.04-0.44). Statistically significant results favoring SLIT were found for SS (SMD = 0.42; 95% CI = 0.32-0.53), MS (SMD = 0.40; 95% CI = 0.28-0.53), CSMS (SMD = 0.37; 95% CI = 0.29-0.45), and RQLQ (MD = 0.32; 95% CI = 0.20-0.43). No significant differences were found between SCIT and SLIT for SS (SMD = -0.02; 95% CI = -0.15 to 0.11), MS (SMD = -0.14; 95% CI = -0.31 to 0.03), CSMS (SMD = 0.05; 95% CI = -0.21 to 0.31), or RQLQ (MD = -0.08; 95% CI = -0.31 to 0.15).

CONCLUSION

SCIT and SLIT are comparably effective treatments for adults with AR/C. More RCTs analyzing SCIT versus SLIT are needed to directly compare the two. Laryngoscope, 2021.

The role of house dust mite immunotherapy in Indonesian children with chronic rhinosinusitis allergy: A randomized control trial

Background

Chronic rhinosinusitis allergy (CRA) is a disease that is commonly found in children and is mostly caused by allergy to house dust mites (HDM). The use of HDM immunotherapy can be considered in children with allergies.

Objectives

Analyzing the impact of mite immunotherapy on disease burden in Indonesian children with CRA.

Methods

A randomized control trial study was conducted to participants in 2 groups, namely the immunotherapy group (n = 25) and the non-immunotherapy group (n = 25). Participants were given HDM immunotherapy for 14 weeks, which was given once per week. Participants during therapy were evaluated for rhinosinusitis symptoms and measured their immunity status (specific IgE), sleep quality (SDSC), quality of life (SN5), and family coping (F-COPES) pre-post therapy. Statistical analysis used in this study included paired t-test, Wilcoxon test, independent t-test, or Mann Whitney test with p < 0.05.

Results

The value of specific IgE in the immunotherapy group was 4.12 ± 7.75 kU/l (pre-test) and 1.52 ± 2.42 kU/l (post-test; p < 0.001), while in the non-immunotherapy group was 1.47 ± 3.28 kU/l (pre-test) and 1.18 ± 2.81 kU/l (post-test; p = 0.317). The SDSC value in the immunotherapy group was 42.16 ± 2.75 (pre-test) and 30.32 ± 3.22 (post-test; p < 0.001), while in the non-immunotherapy group was 41.92 ± 2.75 (pre-test) and 41.84 ± 2.87 (post-test; p = 0.987). The F-COPES value in the immunotherapy group was 101.56 ± 5.78 (pre-test) and 105.20 ± 4.31 (post-test; p = 0.015), while in the non-immunotherapy group was 100.36 ± 9.63 (pre-test) and 99.96 ± 9.98 (post-test; p = 0.224). The SN-5 value in the immunotherapy group was 30.04 ± 2.78 (pre-test) and 11.00 ± 2.33 (post-test; p < 0.001), while in the non-immunotherapy group was 30.04 ± 2.78 (pre-test) and 30.04 ± 2.78 (post-test; p = 0.767). There was a significant comparison between the immunotherapy group and the non-immunotherapy group on the specific IgE (p = 0.013), SDSC (p < 0.001), and SN-5 (p < 0.001) values. Meanwhile, there was no significant difference in the F-COPES value (p = 0.129).

Conclusions

The administration of HDM immunotherapy can improve the participant's immunity, quality of life, and sleep disorder.

ARIA 2019, Allerjik Rinite Tedavi Yaklaşımı-Türkiye

Gerçek yaşamda, çevresel maruziyetlerin de etkilediği rinit ve astım mültimorbidite durumlarında, dijitalleşmiş ve kişiye odaklanan tedaviler için bütünleştirilmiş tedavi yollarının değerlendirilmesi önerilmektedir. Gerçek yaşamdaki bu durum mültisipliner bir yaklaşımla basamaklandırılıp, rehberilerinde ülkelerdeki gereksinimlere göre değiştilmesini gerektirebilir. Allerjik rinitte hem farmakoterapi hem immünoterapi açısından acil yeni yaklaşımlara ihtiyaç olduğu görülmüştür. 3. Aralık 2018'de Paris'te bir toplantı yapılmış ve iki ayrı belge hazırlanmıştır. Bu yayında bunlara ait bir özet sunulup, ülkeye ve sağlık sistemine uygun kullanımın çerçevesi oluşturulmak istenmiştir.

ARIA guideline 2019: treatment of allergic rhinitis in the German health system

Background: The number of patients affected by allergies is increasing worldwide. The resulting allergic diseases are leading to significant costs for health care and social systems. Integrated care pathways are needed to enable comprehensive care within the national health systems. The ARIA (Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma) initiative develops internationally applicable guidelines for allergic respiratory diseases. Methods: ARIA serves to improve the care of patients with allergies and chronic respiratory diseases. In collaboration with other international initiatives, national associations and patient organizations in the field of allergies and respiratory diseases, real-life integrated care pathways have been developed for a digitally assisted, integrative, individualized treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR) with comorbid asthma. In the present work, these integrated care pathways have been adapted to the German situation and health system. Results: The present ICP (integrated care pathway) guideline covers key areas of the care of AR patients with and without asthma. It includes the views of patients and other healthcare providers. Discussion: A comprehensive ICP guideline can reflect real-life care better than traditional guideline models.

2019 ARIA Care pathways for allergen immunotherapy

Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is a proven therapeutic option for the treatment of allergic rhinitis and/or asthma. Many guidelines or national practice guidelines have been produced but the evidence-based method varies, many are complex and none propose care pathways. This paper reviews care pathways for AIT using strict criteria and provides simple recommendations that can be used by all stakeholders including healthcare professionals. The decision to prescribe AIT for the patient should be individualized and based on the relevance of the allergens, the persistence of symptoms despite appropriate medications according to guidelines as well as the availability of good-quality and efficacious extracts. Allergen extracts cannot be regarded as generics. Immunotherapy is selected by specialists for stratified patients. There are no currently available validated biomarkers that can predict AIT success. In adolescents and adults, AIT should be reserved for patients with moderate/severe rhinitis or for those with moderate asthma who, despite appropriate pharmacotherapy and adherence, continue to exhibit exacerbations that appear to be related to allergen exposure, except in some specific cases. Immunotherapy may be even more advantageous in patients with multimorbidity. In children, AIT may prevent asthma onset in patients with rhinitis. mHealth tools are promising for the stratification and follow-up of patients.

Clinical Efficacy of Allergen-Specific Immunotherapy from Patient and Physician Perspectives

PURPOSE

Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) is the only curative treatment for allergic diseases, but a few allergic patients receive AIT. In this multicenter cross-sectional study, we aimed to explore patient and physician perspectives on AIT through a questionnaire survey.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Allergic patients who received subcutaneous immunotherapy for at least 1 year were asked to answer a questionnaire developed by an expert panel of allergen and immunotherapy workgroup in Korea.

RESULTS

A total of 267 patients (adults, 60.3%) with allergic rhinitis (91.4%), asthma (42.7%), or atopic dermatitis (20.2%) from referred hospitals completed the survey. Among patients and physicians, respectively, the overall rates of satisfaction with AIT for allergic rhinitis were 86.4% and 83.3% (kappa agreement=0.234, p<0.001), and those for asthma were 85.3% and 72.9% (kappa agreement=0.373, p<0.001). Moreover, pediatric asthmatic patients reported a significantly higher satisfaction rate than adult asthmatic patients after AIT (p=0.040). Symptom severity (p<0.001, respectively) and drug use for allergic rhinitis and asthma decreased after AIT. However, there was no significant difference in satisfaction rates between children and adults in allergic rhinitis (p=0.736). Interestingly, 35.7% and 35% of allergic rhinitis and asthma patients, respectively, reported experiencing improvement in their symptoms within 6 months of starting AIT.

CONCLUSION

In this study evaluating the perspectives of patients and physicians on AIT, the majority of patients were satisfied with the efficacy and safety of AIT, but not its cost. AIT should be recommended for AR and allergic patients.

Highlights and recent developments in airway diseases in EAACI journals (2017)

The European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) owns three journals: Allergy, Pediatric Allergy and Immunology and Clinical and Translational Allergy. One of the major goals of EAACI is to support health promotion in which prevention of allergy and asthma plays a critical role and to disseminate the knowledge of allergy to all stakeholders including the EAACI junior members. There was substantial progress in 2017 in the identification of basic mechanisms of allergic and respiratory disease and the translation of these mechanisms into clinics. Better understanding of molecular and cellular mechanisms, efforts for the development of biomarkers for disease prediction, novel prevention and intervention studies, elucidation of mechanisms of multimorbidies, entrance of new drugs in the clinics as well as recently completed phase three clinical studies and publication of a large number of allergen immunotherapy studies and metaanalyses have been the highlights of the last year.

Prolonged effect of allergen sublingual immunotherapy to grass pollen

Background: The prolonged effect of allergen immunotherapy is unknown, especially in older patients. Objective: The three-year effect of sublingual allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) to grass pollen on elderly patients with allergic rhinitis was analyzed. Methods: Thirty-eight elderly patients (63.18 ± 3.12 yrs.) underwent AIT to grass pollen, were monitored for three years and were compared to a placebo group. AIT was performed with the use of an oral Staloral 300 SR grass extract (Stallergens Greer, London, UK) or a placebo. Symptoms and medication scores, represented by the average adjusted symptom score (AAdSS), the serum level of IgG4 to Phl p5 and the quality of life were assessed immediately after AIT and three years later. Results: After AIT, the AAdSS was significantly decreased and remained lower than in the placebo group during the three years after AIT. Serum-specific IgG4 against Phl p5 increased during the AIT trial in the study group. For the three years of observation after AIT, there were no significant changes in specific IgG4 levels against the analyzed allergens in comparison to the results immediately after AIT. The quality of life, based on the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire, was significantly decreased in patients who received AIT, from 1.83 (95%CI: 1.45-1.96) to 0.74 (95%CI: 0.39-1.92) (p < 0.05) to 0.82 (95%CI: 0.45- 1.04) three years after AIT. Conclusion: A prolonged positive effect after AIT to grass pollen was observed in elderly patients with allergic rhinitis. Further trials are needed to confirm this effect.