[Sublingual immunotherapy with allergenic extract of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus in asthmatic children].
BACKGROUND
Sublingual immunotherapy is based on the treatment of distinct pathologies. It is not exempt from discomfort and hazards; thus, alternative approaches for therapy are being tested.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the effectiveness of sublingual immunotherapy, with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus in asthmatic children.


METHODS
Fifty pediatric patients of both sexes between 5 and 15 years were randomly divided into two groups. The first group received sublingual immunotherapy with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus in concentrations of 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 8000 and 10,000 biological units. Both groups received conventional therapy, and spirometry and total IgE were measured every 30 days. The use of bronchodilators and steroids was assessed before and during the test.


RESULTS
Peak expiratory flow improved in the study group with a remarkable difference (p < 0.05). There were not significant differences in the control group (p > 0.05); however, at the end of the study an increase of 80% was observed. In urgency services, patients who received immunotherapy had relative risk (RR) = 0.36 and confidence interval (CI) of 95%, 0.15, 0.84. The use of steroids equally decreased in patients receiving immunotherapy RR = 0.27, CI 95%, 0.10, 0.69.


CONCLUSIONS
Sublingual immunotherapy does reduce the risk for asthma episodes in children.
Rodríguez Santos
Olimpio
O
Universidad de Camagüey, Cuba. olimpio@shine.cmw.sld.cu
D000286:Administration, Sublingual; D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic; D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D039981:Pyroglyphidae / Q000276:immunology*; D014020:Tissue Extracts / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D014020:Tissue Extracts