Quality of life improvement after a three-year course of sublingual immunotherapy in patients with house dust mite and grass pollen induced allergic rhinitis: results from real-life

BACKGROUND

Along with its high prevalence, the burden of allergic rhinitis rests upon the serious impact on quality of life of patients. Allergic rhinitis is associated with impairments in daily activities, work and school performance, and practical problems. Patients suffer from sleep disorders and emotional problems. Тhe advantages of sublingual immunotherapy on quality of life have only recently begun to emerge. The objective of this prospective real-life study was to evaluate the effect of a three-year course of sublingual immunotherapy with house dust mite (HDM) and grass pollen extracts on quality of life in adults with allergic rhinitis.

METHODS

A total number of 191 adult patients [105 (54,979%) men; mean age 27.3 years (SD-6.14)] with moderate to severe allergic rhinitis and clinically relevant sensitization to house dust mites or grass pollen were prospectively evaluated in the course of management of their disease. Health-related quality of life was assessed by Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire at baseline and after three-year course of sublingual immunotherapy.

RESULTS

The mean overall Qol score assessed at baseline and at the end of the third year of treatment decreased significantly in patients treated with HDM extract (from 2.95 to 0.76) as well as with Grass pollen extract (from 2.83 to 1.22) (р < 0.001). The improvements in treated with HDM extract were as followed: activities - 3.52 to 0.68; sleep- 2.48 to 0.31; general problems - 1.79 to 0.49; practical problems - 3.57 to 0.68; nasal symptoms - 3.91 to 0.74; eye symptoms - 2.92 to 0.39; emotions - 3.03 to 0.39. The improvements in grass pollen group were: activities - 3.68 to 1.69; sleep- 1.85 to 0.84; general problems - 1.74 to 0.97; practical problems - 3.52 to 1.37; nasal symptoms - 3.72 to 1.57; eye symptoms - 3.58 to 1.3; emotions - 2.48 to 1.19.

CONCLUSION

Our study conducted in real life provided evidence that a three-year course of SLIT with HDM extract as well as with grass pollen extract significantly increased QoL in patients with allergic rhinitis.

[Early compliance and efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy in patients with allergic rhinitis]

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to investigate the efficacy and adverse effects of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) of dust mite drops to allergic rhinitis with mite allergy. The compliance and satisfaction of SLIT were also assessed.

METHOD

One hundred and three patients of allergic rhinitis sensitive to dust mites were treated with SLIT for 6 months or more. The symptom questionnaire,including items on rhinorrhea, sneezing, nasal obstruction, itchy nose, olfactory disturbance, eye discomfort and sleep disturbance were obtained before and 6 months after SLIT. The patients' satisfaction and adverse effects were also investigated.

RESULT

Seventy-five of the 103 patients insist on SLIT for more than 6 months and completed the questionnaire. The duration of receiving SLIT was 9.8 months on average (range from 6 to 13 months). The satisfaction rate was 89.3%. The drop-out rate of SLIT was 31.0%.

CONCLUSION

The subjective symptoms were improved with SLIT in patients with allergic rhinitis sensitive to dust mites. The drop out rate was high despite of the symptomatic improvement.