title: Long-term effects of specific immunotherapy, administered during childhood, in asthmatic patients allergic to either house-dust mite or to both house-dust mite and grass pollen.
abstract: In a retrospective study, asthmatic patients allergic to either house-dust mite (HDM) (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) (n = 34) or to both HDM and grass pollen (GP) (n = 14), and who were treated with specific immunotherapy (SIT) during childhood (mean duration of SIT: 61 +/- 9.70 months), were re-evaluated in early adulthood after mean cessation of SIT for 9.3 +/- 2.76 years. The results were compared to those of a control group of asthmatic patients (n = 42) with comparable asthma features, who were treated with appropriate antiasthmatic drugs during childhood, but who never received SIT. Re-evaluation was carried out with a standardized questionnaire, skin prick tests (SPT), and lung-function assessments. At the time of re-evaluation, the mean age in the SIT-treated group was 23.1 +/- 3.50 years; in the control group, it was 22.7 +/- 3.40 years. At re-evaluation, the risk of frequent asthmatic symptoms was three times higher in the control group than in the SIT-treated group (prevalence ratio: 3.43; P = 0.0006). The frequent use of antiasthmatic medication was also more pronounced in the control group, although the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.38). Lung-function parameters and results of SPT with HDM were comparable in both groups. It is concluded that SIT has long-term effects on asthmatic symptoms in young adults.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cools
authors.forename: H P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Van Bever
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Weyler
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Stevens
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects; D000818:Animals; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D004391:Dust / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D008297:Male; D008925:Mites; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011058:Pollen / Q000009:adverse effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D004391:Dust; D010936:Plant Extracts