title: Attitude and knowledge of patients with asthma and allergic rhinitis who received allergen immunotherapy in Phramongkutklao Hospital.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine attitude and knowledge of patients with asthma and allergic rhinitis who received AIT (Allergen Immunotherapy).
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional analytical study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in the patients with allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis whom were treated with AIT at the Allergy Clinic, Phramongkutklao Hospital between February 1st 2008 to October 31st 2008. Standardized questionnaires were used to collect patients demographic data, attitude and knowledge.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 100 patients were enrolled in this study. Sixty-six percents of patients expected that AIT would improve their quality of lifes and could prevent their disease recurrence. Fifty three percents of patients expected that their allergic diseases could be cured completely while 22 percents of patients expected that AIT could prevent the occurrence of a new allergic disease. Only 42 percents of patients understood that AIT would improve the conditions after treatment at least 6 months. Twenty two percent of patients knew that AIT was safe and there was no serious side effect.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients treated with AIT had still lack of knowledge about AIT treatment and the potential serious side effect that could occur.
authors.affiliation: Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Medicine, Phramongkutklao Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. sang0346@yhaoo.com
authors.forename: Atik
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sangasapaviliya
authors.forename: Kittipong
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pholsuwanchai
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013785:Thailand; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome