Outcome survey of insect venom allergic patients with venom immunotherapy in a rural population.
BACKGROUND
Hymenoptera venom anaphylaxis is a frightening event that affects physical and psychical functioning.


METHODS
Retrospective survey of 182 Hymenoptera venom allergic patients living in a rural area using a questionnaire targeting on patients' satisfaction during therapy, fear of anaphylactic recurrences and changes in lifestyle before and after venom immunotherapy (VIT). Additionally, patients' self-assessment of quality of life, daily outdoor time and re-sting rate were recorded.


RESULTS
146 patients returned the questionnaire (58.9% male, 41.1% female, 25.3% honey bee allergic, 67.8% wasp allergic, 41.1% re-sting rate, mean follow-up time 6.5 years). Measurement of the parameters fear, satisfaction and changes in lifestyle revealed a significant improvement after VIT. This correlated with the patients'self-assessment of quality of life,when 89.7% declared an improvement after VIT. Although the improvement was higher in patients with re-stings, also patients without re-stings clearly benefited from VIT. Interestingly, females were significantly more affected by Hymenoptera venom allergy than males,whereas both genders showed a similar improvement after VIT.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with Hymenoptera venom sting allergy significantly benefit from VIT in regard to both biological and psychological outcome. VIT should still be provided to all Hymenoptera venom allergic patients as standard of care.
Department of Dermatology, Regensburg University Hospital, Regensburg, Germany. alexander.roesch@klinik.uni-regensburg.de
Alexander
A
Roesch
Julia
J
Boerzsoenyi
Philipp
P
Babilas
Michael
M
Landthaler
Rolf-Markus
RM
Szeimies
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D000818:Animals; D001514:Bee Venoms / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D001516:Bees; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012424:Rural Population; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014862:Wasp Venoms / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D014863:Wasps
D001514:Bee Venoms; D014862:Wasp Venoms