Einfluß der spezifischen, subkutanen Immuntherapie mit Pollenextrakten auf die assoziierte Nahrungsmittelallergie. Eine retrospektive Analyse von 72 Patienten

Abstract

Whereas the efficacy of the specific immunotherapy (SIT) in pollen allergy has been established, its consequence on the pollen-associated food allergy particularly the oral allergy syndrome (OAS) is less clear. In a retrospective study, we investigated the effect of SIT with pollen extracts in pollen-allergic subjects on the OAS. In addition, we looked for factors that could be prognostic for the change of OAS. 72 subjects (39 male, 33 female with a mean age of 32 years) allergic to pollen with a concomitant pollen-associated food allergy, namely OAS, who have been treated for an average of 2,0 years by SIT were interviewed using a standardized questionnaire. For control served 40 individuals (17 male, 23 female; mean age 29 years) allergic to pollen and a pollen-associated food allergy (OAS) without SIT. 38 of 72 subjects (53%) treated with SIT had an improvement of their OAS. However, 23 (32%) claimed an unchangeable and 11 (15%) even an increase of the OAS. Of the controls, an improvement was realized in only 3 individuals (8%). 20 of them (50%) declared no change and 17 a worsening of the OAS. In conclusion, our results suggest that pollen-associated food allergy, specifically the OAS, can be reduced in more than half of the patients by SIT. On the other hand, in 15% of the SIT-treated collective an expansion of the spectrum of foods inducing symptoms was experienced. A successful development of the OAS by SIT seems to occur if patients are older than 20 years of age, have a clinical relevant birch pollen allergy and suffer from an intensive OAS. Failure regarding OAS seems more likely if SIT with birch pollen is combined with grass pollen extracts.