Sustained effect of SQ-standardized grass allergy immunotherapy tablet on rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life.
BACKGROUND
The prevalence of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis has increased significantly over the past decades with grass pollen being a common trigger. The impact of allergy on patient's quality of life is substantial.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the sustained effect on quality of life during the grass pollen season 1 year after 3 years of treatment with the SQ-standardized grass allergy immunotherapy tablet (AIT), Graza (Phleum pratense 75,000 SQ-T/2800 BAU; ALK, Denmark).


METHODS
The trial was a randomized, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in adult subjects with a history of moderate-severe grass pollen induced rhinoconjunctivitis inadequately controlled by symptomatic medications. Subjects received 3 years of grass AIT (n = 157) or placebo (n = 126), followed by 1 year of follow-up. Quality of life assessments were based on the standardized rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ(S)); completed weekly during the entire grass pollen season.


RESULTS
During follow-up, the overall RQLQ(S) score for the entire grass pollen season was significantly improved in the active group (relative difference to placebo: 23%, P = 0.004). The improvement was higher during the peak pollen season (28%, P = 0.001). The treatment effect of grass AIT during the follow-up year and the previous three treatment years was similar. Improvements were found in all seven RQLQ(S) domains. The RQLQ(S) as a function of the weekly average pollen counts showed a clear separation between the treatment groups (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
In subjects inadequately controlled by symptomatic medications, grass AIT provided sustained and clinically relevant improvements in rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life compared to placebo. The effect increased with increasing grass pollen exposure.
Frølund
L
L
Allergy- and Lung Clinic, Helsingør, Denmark.
Durham
S R
SR
Calderon
M
M
Emminger
W
W
Andersen
J S
JS
Rask
P
P
Dahl
R
R
D002648:Child; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D006109:Poaceae / Q000276:immunology*; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology; D011788:Quality of Life; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013607:Tablets / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
D013607:Tablets