title: [Allergen immunotherapy in Iceland 1977-2006].
abstract: The prevelance of allery and asthma has increased rapidly over the last 3 decades and is now estimated that 25-30% of population in Western industrialized countries show symptoms of allergy or asthma. The aim of this study was to reveal the success of allergen immunotherapy (AIT) in Landspitali from 1977-2006.
  
  
  
  During the study period a total number of 289 individuals underwent immunotherapy in outpatient clinic of allergy and asthma in Landspítali. A total number of 169 individuals were contacted, of whom 128 (76%) accepted to participate in the study. The evaluation was based on medical records, standardized questionnaire and skin-prick tests.
  
  
  
  Patients were evaluated on the average of 20 years after finishing treatment. 118 (92%) patients were desensitized to grass pollen, to birch pollen (30%), cat dander (30%) and dust mite (28%). At the time of the study 67% reported to be asymptomatic or with greatly improved allergy symptoms. Males had better response to AIT than women (p=0.04). Participants with positive family history of allergy and/or asthma in first degree relatives also reported better response to AIT (p=0.02). Furthermore, AIT to grass pollen and dust mite seemed to be more effective than AIT to cat dander and birch (p=0.04). AIT was also shown to reduce asthma.
  
  
  
  AIT for 3-5 years provides significant beneficial effect of allergy and asthma symptoms in patients who undergo such therapy. Finally, it s findings support the notion that AIT may reduce the risk of new allergic manifestations.
authors.affiliation: Laeknadeild Hĺ, Landspítala Fossvogi.
authors.forename: Sverrir Gauti
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Ríkardsson
authors.forename: Yrsa B
authors.initials: YB
authors.lastname: Löve
authors.forename: Gudmundur H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Jörgensen
authors.forename: Davíd
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gíslason
authors.forename: Björn Rúnar
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Lúdvíksson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D007055:Iceland; D007167:Immunotherapy; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007428:Intradermal Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult