Does treatment with sub-lingual allergen-specific immunotherapy reduce adenoid size and improve quality of life among Egyptian children?

Abstract

IntroductionAdenoidal hypertrophy is a paediatric problem. Adenoidectomy contributes to post-operative complications. Allergic rhinitis is a major health problem. Its prevalence in Egypt and the Middle East is up to 9%. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of sub-lingual immunotherapy on adenoid size and/or quality of life among children suffering from adenoid hypertrophy with allergic rhinitis in Suez Canal University Hospital.Material and methodsForty-six children suffering from adenoid hypertrophy and allergic rhinitis were recruited for this purpose. Skin prick test was administered to identify the causative allergen. All patients received sub-lingual immunotherapy. Lateral X-ray, serum total immunoglobulin E, symptoms, and sign score were recorded for all patients before and after the treatment.ResultsThe nasal symptoms and adenoidal size of the examined patients were significantly decreased after immunotherapy was applied, and thus there was an improvement in the quality of life among those patients.ConclusionsIt was concluded that sub-lingual immunotherapy was an alternative treatment of adenoidectomy in children with moderate adenoid hypertrophy with allergic rhinitis. Surgical treatment for children who suffer from severe adenoid hypertrophy with allergic rhinitis could not be considered as obligatory because medical treatment has no effect on the size of adenoids nor on quality of life.