Abstract
Summary Background Allergic respiratory diseases have an impact on the performance and quality of life of the patients. The allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is the only causal treatment approach with the chance to positively influence the course of the disease. However, differentiated figures for the treatment of suitable patients in Germany are still missing. Methods The health care situation in Germany is examined with a retrospective, cross-sectional, cohort-based health care analysis based on patient data and routine data from statutory health insurance (SHI). Characteristics are identified that encourage or prevent guideline-based care. In addition, data on quality of life and costs of illness of allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma are collected and evaluated. Results Routine data provide comprehensive and cross-sectoral information about diagnoses and utilization of health care services. In addition, primary data give information on disease severity, treatment history, quality of life, use of alternative treatment methods, and sociodemographic characteristics of the patients. Conclusion Analysis of the care situation with regard to the specific immunotherapy in cases of allergic respiratory diseases (VerSITA) provides a solid basis for future research and for informing decision-makers in order to develop measures to optimize care.
Highlights
Allergic respiratory diseases affect people of all ages and social classes and lead to restrictions in social life and schooling and work performance
Since allergen immunotherapy (AIT) has to be administered regularly over this period of time—approximate every 4–6 weeks in the case of SCIT and daily in the case of SLIT—and since the costs incurred are not offset by any treatment effects in the event of premature discontinuation of therapy, compliance is of central importance for achieving therapeutic effects and for cost-effective care [4]
A prerequisite is that standardized allergens of high quality, whose effectiveness has been proven for the given indication and age group, are available
Summary
Allergic respiratory diseases affect people of all ages and social classes and lead to restrictions in social life and schooling and work performance. As they frequently develop in childhood and adolescence and persist in most cases for years, often decades, optimal care is important from a social and economic perspective [1]. Factors that increase the efficacy of AIT must be taken into account when determining the indication. These include short duration of the disease, low involvement of the lower respiratory tract, young age, and good compliance and adherence [4]
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