title: Use of specific immunotherapy--a survey of 15 164 employed persons in Germany.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The high prevalence of allergic rhinitis (AR) leads to high morbidity and costs. Specific immunotherapy (SIT) is a potentially curative therapy for AR. The -decision whether or not to employ SIT is often not totally clear.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2012/13, as part of company skin cancer screening -programs, employed persons between the ages of 16-70 were asked about use of allergy-related medications and atopic conditions, as well as the use of SIT or possible reasons preventing its use.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 15,164 persons surveyed, 26.2% (n = 3,966) reported they had allergies that might benefit from SIT therapy. Of these, only 31.7% (n = 1,470) had undergone SIT therapy, with 63.3% (n = 931) describing the treatment as successful. The main reasons given for not undergoing SIT were relatively minor symptoms (51.2%; n = 1,278), little confidence in the success of therapy, and lack of time (12%; n = 300). Only 5.2%, n = 129) stated that avoiding allergens was sufficient or that they could not undergo SIT because of other health problems. Another 5.2% (n = 130) said they had either not heard of SIT, or had not found a place to undergo treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although about one-quarter of respondents reported allergies that might benefit from SIT, less than one-third had undergone treatment. The main -reason was having mild symptoms; guideline or healthcare-related issues were -responsible only to a limited extent.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Dermatologie, -Venerologie und Allergologie, University Hospital Frankfurt, Germany; Arbeitsgruppe Evidenzbasierte -Medizin, Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, University Hospital Frankfurt, Germany.
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Weberschock
authors.forename: Ines
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Schaefer
authors.forename: Hagen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Heigel
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Valesky
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Augustin
authors.forename: Jochen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schmitt
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D057240:Patient Preference / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D065631:Rhinitis, Allergic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult