Steroid Sparing Effect of Sublingual Immunotherapy: Real Life Study in Mono/Polisensitized Children with Asthma

Abstract

Steroid-sparing effect of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in mono/polisensitized asthmatic children were evaluated. Children undergoing allergen-specific SLIT between 2010 and 2014 were included. Asthma control and usage/dose of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) in the previous year was determined. Asthma control without ICS need ≥6months was defined as 'ICS avoidance'. 90 children (mean±SD age 8.92±4.17years) were enrolled, 56.7% (n=60) being polysensitized. Mono, 2-simultaneous and multiple-pollen-mix allergen SLIT were prescribed in 84.4, 17.8 and 7.8%, respectively. ICS was avoided in 70%, with no significant difference in mono- versus poly-sensitized patients. ICS-avoidance rates in mono-allergen, pollen-mixture and 2-simultaneous-allergen SLIT were 93.6, 83.3 and 73.7%, respectively. Longer-duration SLIT resulted in significantly more ICS-avoidance (p:0.0001). SLIT with mono/multiple-mixed/simultaneous allergens in childhood asthma resulted in retained-avoidance of ICS. Steroid-sparing effect of SLIT in polysensitized children warrants further investigation.