Allergic rhinitis due to house dust mites: evaluation of the efficacy of specific sublingual immunotherapy.
BACKGROUND
The efficacy and safety of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in patients with chronic rhinitis related to sensitization to house dust mites are still controversial.


METHODS
After application of an anti-mite mattress cover, patients were only included in the study when the cumulative symptom score over a fortnight was greater than 70 out of a possible total of 168. Thirty-two of the 120 patients selected were randomized to receive SLIT for 2 years: 17 received placebo and 15 received the Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and D. farinae 50/50 allergen extract.


RESULTS
Significant between-group differences were observed after 1 year and persisted at the end of the second year for the rhinitis total score (P < 0.02), blocked nose score (P < 0.01) and nasal itching score (P < 0.01). Skin reactivity to house dust mites was significantly reduced in the group receiving house dust mite extract (P < 0.03). No statistical difference was observed between the two groups for medication scores, but a low medication consumption was observed in all patients. No serious and no systemic adverse reactions were reported.


CONCLUSIONS
This study indicates the superiority of active treatment vs. placebo, evaluated on efficacy criteria (rhinitis score) or objective criteria (skin reactivity). The availability of a solid form (tablet) could represent a progress in terms of patient acceptability.
Tonnel
A B
AB
Service de Pneumologie et Immuno-Allergologie, CHRU, Lille, France.
Scherpereel
A
A
Douay
B
B
Mellin
B
B
Leprince
D
D
Goldstein
N
N
Delecluse
P
P
Andre
C
C
D000286:Administration, Sublingual; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002648:Child; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004391:Dust; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008925:Mites / Q000276:immunology*; D009299:Nasal Provocation Tests; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012882:Skin Tests; D013607:Tablets; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D004391:Dust; D013607:Tablets