COMPARISON OF CLINICAL EFFICACY AND SAFETY BETWEEN CHILDREN AND ADULTS BEFORE AND 1 YEAR AFTER MITE SUBLINGUAL IMMUNOTHERAPY FOR PERENNIAL ALLERGIC RHINITIS

Abstract

We studied clinical efficacy and safety after 1 year of mite sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) for perennial allergic rhinitis in children, compared with adults. We compared 121 children under 15 yeas old (81 male, aged 5-14 years, a median of 12 years) and 77 adults (36 male, aged 15-65 years, a median of 26 years) treated with mite SLIT tablet (10000 Japanese Allergy Unit). The clinical efficacy before and 1 year after SLIT was evaluated by assessing symptom scores by Japanese rhino-conjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (JRQLQ No1) and visual analog scale (VAS). Combined medication was also compared. Adverse events of SLIT were checked at every visit. All items of JRQLQ No1 scores and VAS after 1 year of mite SLIT, except eye symptoms in adults by JRQLQ No1, were significantly improved in both children and adults. Comparing children and adults, there were no differences in symptoms before and after 1 year. Combined medication score showed a similar result. Adverse events were observed in 57.9% of children and 58.4% of adults, but there were no serious adverse reactions. There was no difference between children and adults in efficacy and safety of mite SLIT, and both group showed significant improvement of symptoms.