title: Specific allergen immunotherapy use in 2012: an Irish Paediatric Surveillance Unit (IPSU) study.
abstract: Specific immunotherapy (SIT) is a disease modifying treatment for allergic rhinitis (AR), with its benefits most evident in those who are refractory to medical treatment. It is used less frequently in UK than Europe/US. No data exist on SIT use in Ireland. We audited paediatric practice to evaluate patient selection, SIT modalities and adverse events (A.E.). A 9 item questionnaire was sent to Irish paediatricians, identified via the Irish Paediatric Surveillance Unit (IPSU) mailing list. 58 children have undertaken SIT (Subcutaneous SCIT =3, Sublingual = 55). This represents 0.01% of Irish children estimated to have AR. 33 (56%) had asthma; 18 (55%) had perennial asthma, 7 (21%) seasonal asthma. Adverse events occurred in 5 cases (8.6%). Three treatments (3-5%) were discontinued as a result. SIT is available across Ireland, though only extremely small numbers of children with AR are being treated yet. Co-morbid asthma is frequent and does not increase adverse events. This audit will raise awareness of SIT use for AR in Ireland.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University College Cork, Cork.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Neary
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University College Cork, Cork.
authors.forename: J O'B
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Hourihane
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D011159:Population Surveillance; D065631:Rhinitis, Allergic; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires