Abstract
Introduction: In this study, we aimed to compare the efficacy of subcutaneous specific immunotherapy (SIT) on decreasing allergic airway symptoms in a pediatric cohort with allergen sensitization.
Method: We retrospectively enrolled 325 subjects (62.8% Male) aged 5 to 18 years with asthma or allergic rhinitis (AR) sensitized to inhalant allergens. Medical records were reviewed to record diagnosis and skin prick test (SPT) results as well as SIT history. In both groups, annual distribution and severity of AR, number of emergency visits, days of hospitalizations, systemic steroid use and number of attacks per year were recorded in the first and third years of follow up.
Results: AR and asthma were diagnosed in 51% and 30% respectively; 4.6% had both. Most common inhalant allergen sensitized was pollens (48.6%). 44% received subcutaneous SIT. Age at the time of SPT was significantly higher in SIT group (9.9±3.2 and 8.7±3.8 respectively, p=0.03). In SIT group, 34.8% of the AR patients were persistent in first year while this decreased to 3.9% in the third year (p=0.001). There was no change in the frequency of persistence among the AR subjects who did not receive SIT (p=0.34). Among the subjects with asthma who received SIT, number of exacerbations and days of salbutamol use per year decreased significantly in the third year of follow up compared to the first. (2.8±2.2 and 1.3±2.3, p=0.033; 14.0±5.3 and 5.3±5.9, p=<0.001 respectively). None of the asthma severity parameters mentioned above changed significantly in the group that did not receive SIT.
Discussion: Subcutaneous SIT changes the natural course of AR and asthma findings in pediatric subjects.
Footnotes
Cite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2019; 54: Suppl. 63, PA943.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
- Copyright ©the authors 2019