The effectiveness and safety of subcutaneous immunotherapy for inhalable allergens in patients with respiratory allergies

Abstract

Background: Specific immunotherapy is a treatment aimed at modifying the course of the allergic disease, with which important immunological and clinical changes are achieved. Objective: To assess the effectiveness and safety of subcutaneous immunotherapy in patients diagnosed with respiratory allergies in the University Hospital of Puebla, Mexico. Methods: A longitudinal, analytic, quasi-experimental study. The study was carried out with patients aged four to sixty-five years, diagnosed with allergic rhinitis or asthma, with sensitization to aeroallergens, in whom immunotherapy was started. For the effectiveness assessment, the Control of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Test (CARAT) was used. Safety was assessed through Portnoy’s Questionnaire Survey of Adverse Reactions. Results: 59 patients were included: 72.9% were female; 23.7% of them were diagnosed with allergic rhinitis and asthma, and 76.3% were diagnosed with allergic rhinitis. The comparison of averages of the CARAT questionnaire at the beginning of the treatment and after four months of follow up showed a statistically significant positive development. An incidence of adverse local reactions of 9.03% was found; no adverse systemic reactions were reported. Conclusions: The assessed scheme of subcutaneous immunotherapy got to significantly decrease the asthma symptoms and AR symptoms, with a desirable safety profile.

Keywords

• alergia respiratoria
• alérgenos inhalables
• eficacia y seguridad
• inmunoterapia subcutánea