Long-term benefit after allergen immunotherapy to HDM in elderly patients with allergic rhinitis.

Abstract

Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is an effective therapy for allergic rhinitis and may have long-term benefits. However, these benefits have not been strictly defined for older people. The evaluation of the effectiveness of AIT in patients over 60 with allergic rhinitis and house dust mites (HDM) allergy over a period of 7 years was performed. Patients after three years of HDM-AIT were observed to assess the sustained clinical effect of treatment. The average adjusted symptom score (AAdSS) and sIgG4 were monitored for 7 years after sublingual (SLIT) and injection AIT (SCIT). After 3 years of HDM-AIT, a significant clinical effect was observed in the group after SLIT and SCIT based on AAdSS compared to the baseline and the placebo group (p < 0.05). After 7 years of follow-up, there was a sustained trend of decrease in clinical symptoms in desensitized patients relative to placebo. Serum sIgG4 was constantly present in all desensitized patients. AIT may be beneficial for treating seniors with allergic rhinitis and allergies to house dust mites.