Abstract
Respiratory allergic disease represents a global health problem, 30% of the population suffers from allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and 20% suffer from asthma. Allergy immunotherapy induce immunological tolerance and thereby modify the response to allergens and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) offers the possibility of home administration of allergen therapy, but adherence is more uncertain. The aim of the study was to investigate the adherence with GRAZAX in adults and children ≥ 5 years during three consecutive years of treatment. This was a non-interventional, prospective, observational, multi-center, open-label study to investigate adherence, quality of life, safety and tolerability of GRAZAX in adult and pediatric patients in a real-life setting. During the 3-years study period estimation of adherence was done regularly. Quality of life as well as symptom score was also assessed. In total, 399 patients (236 adults and 163 children) were included in the study. At baseline, 100% suffered from moderate-severe eyes and nose symptoms, and 31% had asthma in the grass pollen season. Overall, 55% completed a 3-years treatment period, whereas 37% stopped before end of study and 8% were lost to follow up. After 3 years, the adherence rate decreased from 98.2% (first month), 93.7% (first year), 93.2% (second year) and 88.9% (third year) and adverse events were the main reason for pre-term termination. The study suggests a good adherence to treatment in a real life setting among the patients finalizing 3-years SLIT therapy. The treatment was effective both on symptoms and HRQL.
Highlights
Up to 30% of the European population suffers from allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, 20% suffer from asthma and 15% from allergic skin conditions
Symptomatic medication used at grass pollen season previous to start of GRAZAX treatment were used in almost all patients (99%)
This study further shows that patient oversight is a minor problem for not taking GRAZAX
Summary
Respiratory allergic disease has increased dramatically during the last 40 years and it represents a serious health problem globally.[1,2,3] Up to 30% of the European population suffers from allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, 20% suffer from asthma and 15% from allergic skin conditions. Allergy is the most frequent chronic disease in Europe and in the western societies as such.[4] Its negative impact on quality of life, in physical as well as mental domains, is well documented for children as well as adults.[5,6] Of patients with intermittent allergic rhinitis 79.2% had some impairment of their professional life and 91.8% of their daily life.[7]. Treatment with pharmacotherapy, such as antihistamines and nasal corticosteroids, is effective in reducing symptoms but they do not address the underlying allergy. Health economical studies have proven GRAZAX, grass immunotherapy, to be a cost-effective treatment in the correct patient group.[11]
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