title: The effects of short-term immunotherapy using molecular standardized grass and rye allergens compared with symptomatic drug treatment on rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms, skin sensitivity, and specific nasal reactivity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The efficacy and safety of short-term immunotherapy with molecular standardized allergens (STI) has been demonstrated by double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trials. The aim of this study was to compare STI with symptomatic drug treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-eight patients with rhinoconjunctivitis to grass and/or rye pollen were treated either with STI (ALK(7), n = 24) plus anti-allergic drugs or anti-allergic drugs, alone (n = 24) in a prospective, randomized study. Symptoms and use of drugs were reported in patient diaries and titrated nasal provocation and skin prick tests were performed at baseline, before, and after season.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Median overall symptom (P = 0.022, U test) and medication scores (P = 0.003) were significantly lower in the STI group, as was the result for a simultaneous analysis of conjunctival, nasal, and bronchial symptom scores and medication (P = 0.005). Sensitivity in the nasal provocation test decreased in the STI group but not in the drug-treated group. These differences became significant directly after STI (P = 0.027) as well as after the grass pollen season (P < 0.001). Skin sensitivity did not change in the STI group but increased in the drug-treated group after season, with a significant difference between the two groups for the erythema (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  STI reduces grass pollen-induced rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms and drug use, and specific nasal reactivity and skin sensitivity, more efficiently than a standard symptomatic treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Mainz University Hospital, Bielefeld, Germany.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Klimek
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mewes
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schnitker
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Mann
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D052179:Antigens, Plant / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009299:Nasal Provocation Tests; D006109:Poaceae; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019141:Respiratory System Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D012882:Skin Tests; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D052179:Antigens, Plant; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D019141:Respiratory System Agents