Immunotherapy for patients with persistent allergic rhinitis unsatisfied with free chronic pharmacotherapy.
BACKGROUND
Chronic pharmacotherapy is recommended to patients with persistent moderate-severe (PM-S) allergic rhinitis (AR). The cost of pharmacotherapy is the main barrier to achieve symptoms control.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the benefits of mite subcutaneous immunotherapy (SIT) in patients with PM-S AR not satisfied with chronic pharmacotherapy received free of charge.


METHODS
Open study with seven (7) patients with PM-S AR not satisfied with chronic pharmacotherapy. Prior to enrollment patients had received monthly for more than five months and free of charge, optimal pharmacotherapy. We compared, off pharmacotherapy, symptoms and quality of life (QOL) before and during SIT.


RESULTS
Mite SIT improved nasal symptoms, non nasal symptoms and QOL. Off pharmacotherapy patients reported adequate control of symptoms and were satisfied.


CONCLUSIONS
Not all patients with PM-S AR are satisfied with chronic pharmacotherapy, even if medication is received free of charge. SIT control symptoms and satisfies patients with PM-S AR unsatisfied with free chronic pharmacotherapy.
Solari
José E Gereda
JE
Allergy and Immunology. Clínica Ricardo Palma, Lima, Perú. geredaj@hotmail.com
Loo
Juan
J
Felices
Antonio
A
Casas
Jorge
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019819:Budesonide / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017332:Cetirizine / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic / Q000191:economics; D016527:Drug Costs; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D019458:Insurance Coverage; D007356:Insurance, Pharmaceutical Services; D017336:Loratadine / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D000068656:Mometasone Furoate; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011244:Pregnadienediols / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D039981:Pyroglyphidae / Q000276:immunology; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D011244:Pregnadienediols; D000068656:Mometasone Furoate; D019819:Budesonide; D017336:Loratadine; D017332:Cetirizine