[Sublingual immunotherapy in seasonal allergic rhinitis. Review of 30 cases].
BACKGROUND
Specific immunotherapy consists in administering increasing doses of antigen, to which the patient is sensitive, to determine a protective immune response.


METHODS
A descriptive and retrospective review of 30 patients diagnosed of seasonal allergic rhinitis, all treated with specific immunotherapy. Data on age, gender, symptoms, prick test before and after the immunotherapy administration, drugs, efficacy and side effects, were recorded using the SPSS statistical program.


RESULTS
90% had moderated symptoms and 10% had severe symptoms and asthma. 33% were sensitized to grass pollen. 60% needed antihistamines and intranasal corticosteroids before the immunotherapy. In a lot of cases (80%) there were no side effects. The complete desensitization occurred in 53.3% and the reduction of symptoms in 73% of the cases. 54% of the patients didn't need treatment after specific immunotherapy.


CONCLUSIONS
The specific immunotherapy is the only curative therapy. Sublingual therapy is one of the most accepted because is well tolerated, it uses a higher allergen concentration, it reduces the symptoms and the needs of drugs and side effects are uncommon.
Beato Martínez
A
A
Servicio de Otorrinolaringología, Hospital Universitario de Getafe, Madrid. ainhoilla@yahoo.es
Ayala Mejías
S
S
Molina Quirós
C
C
Colmenero Ruiz
M
M
Sanz Fernández
R
R
D000286:Administration, Sublingual; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011058:Pollen; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000628:therapy*
D000485:Allergens