[Allergy vaccination in Norway].
BACKGROUND
Allergen-specific immunotherapy is an important treatment option for severe allergy to air-borne allergens and insects, but is less used in Norway than in other Scandinavian countries.


METHODS
A questionnaire was sent to hospitals and private centres that offered immunotherapy in 2005. The number of patients treated, treatment regimes, the allergens used for immunotherapy and the occurrence of systemic side effects during treatment were recorded.


RESULTS
2,400 patients (5.2 per 10,000 inhabitants) received immunotherapy in 2005. The numbers of patients treated, types of regimes and allergens used for immunotherapy varied significantly between counties. The number of patients receiving immunotherapy was significantly lower than in our neighbouring countries. The number of systemic side effects was low. Severe, but not life-threatening events occurred in 1.2 of 1,000 injections; no anaphylactic reaction was reported.


CONCLUSIONS
The availability of allergen-specific immunotherapy varies substantially in Norway.
Øymar
Knut
K
Kvinne-Barneklinikken Stavanger universitetssjukehus, Postboks 8100, 4068 Stavanger. oykn@sus.no
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D009664:Norway; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014612:Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000485:Allergens; D014612:Vaccines