Safety And Efficacy Of Two Days Of Rush Immunotherapy Among Patients With Allergic Rhinitis And Asthma

Abstract

This study was done to assess the safety and efficacy of rush immunotherapy (RIT), and was conducted in the Allergy Centre of Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital & Research Centre, Bangalore, India. Twenty patients in the age group of 18-50 years were included, of which thirteen patients had allergic rhinitis, and seven patients had allergic rhinitis with asthma. All of these patients were positive for skin prick test for house dust, dust mites, tree pollens, grass pollens, and weed pollens, either singly or in combination. They received RIT as per the protocol. Among these patients, the safety of RIT was assessed based on reactions during RIT and efficacy was assessed by estimating total serum IgE and IgG at baseline, after two weeks, and after six weeks. Local reactions were observed in five patients, which subsided without any medication. Systemic reaction was observed only in one patient following a 9 injection on Day 2. This patient responded satisfactorily to Inj. Chlorpheniramine maleate, Inj. Hydrocortisone, and Oxygen inhalation and completed RIT. Late systemic reactions were not noted in any of the patients. Estimation of total serum IgE showed a significant reduction and total serum IgG showed a significant increase after six weeks. It was concluded that rush immunotherapy was tolerated by most patients with a systemic reaction rate comparable to conventional immunotherapy. All patients were able to reach maintenance dose months sooner than weekly schedules. With refinement of this procedure, Rush Immunotherapy may become a widely used method for desensitizing patients with inhalant allergens, and could make immunotherapy less expensive and more convenient to the patients.