title: Prevalence and treatment profile of patients with grass pollen and house dust mite allergy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In Europe, grass pollen and house dust mites are the most common allergens responsible for IgE-mediated allergies. The aim of our study was to examine the data provided by various medical practices specialized in allergic diseases in Germany regarding patients with rhinoconjunctivitis in terms of demographic data and the prescribed treatment by different medical specialists.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from patients who were diagnosed with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis were taken from the "disease-analyzer" database (IMS Health GmbH) and analyzed. The data assessment was anonymous in accordance with the guidelines for data protection. The information collected included specific data about diagnosis and treatment in private practices in Germany.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of patients with grass pollen allergy were treated by their general practitioners, while those with house dust mite allergy were treated by a specialist with a background in allergic diseases (pulmonologists, otorhinolaryngologists, and dermatologists). Treatment was primarily symptomatic, usually consisting of antihistamines. Allergen-specific immunotherapy, the only causal treatment for IgE-mediated allergies at present, was performed rarely.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The data suggest the need for an interaction and knowledge transfer between various specialists in order to improve patient-centered care in regard to allergic diseases.
authors.affiliation: Allergy Center-Charité, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany. margitta.worm@charite.de
authors.forename: Margitta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Worm
authors.forename: Hae-Hyuk
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Karel
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kostev
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006109:Poaceae / Q000276:immunology*; D015995:Prevalence; D039981:Pyroglyphidae / Q000276:immunology*; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D017678:Sex Distribution; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents