title: Short-term efficacy of nasal immunotherapy.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of nasal immunotherapy in the management of allergic rhinitis. Sixteen patients (10 Female; 6 Male) aged 15-60 years (mean age--31.9) were selected on the bases of clinical history, skin prick tests and RAST positivity. Allergen extract is a "macronized" powder form (Allerkin), it was supplied by Laboratorio Farmaceutico Lofarma (Milano Italy) and administered for 12 months to 8 patients with perennial rhinitis (Dermatophagoides extract) and for 6 months to 8 patients with seasonal rhinitis (grass or Parietaria pollens extract). This treatment was carried out by self administration in two phases: the first one (3 months) consisted of administration of increasing doses; the second phase (maintenance period) was carried out 3 months in seasonal rhinitis and 9 months in perennial rhinitis. All the patients were evaluated before and after immunotherapy and scores from 0 to 3 were attributed according to the symptoms presented and need of drugs for symptomatic relief. Scores before and after immunotherapy were compared using the Wilcoxon Matched-Pairs Signed-Ranks Test and a significant decrease was observed for every symptom in seasonal and perennial rhinitis (p < 0.05). In conclusion, this trial shows that nasal immunotherapy in powder form can be a valuable short-term option in patients with allergic rhinitis.
authors.affiliation: Unidade de Imunoalergologia, Medicina III, Hospital Santa Maria, Lisboa, Portugal.
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Palma-Carlos
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pregal
mesh_terms: D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008925:Mites / Q000276:immunology; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D012646:Self Administration
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D006023:Glycoproteins