title: Trends in Specific Immunotherapy for Allergic Rhinitis: A Survey of Chinese ENT Specialists.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Specific immunotherapy (SIT) is a suitable but uncommon treatment option for allergic rhinitis (AR) in China. The current understanding and attitude of Chinese ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialists in regards to SIT is unclear. This study investigates current trends in the awareness and application status of SIT among Chinese ENT specialists.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a nationwide, cross-sectional survey with a specially designed questionnaire given to 800 ENT specialists in China. A member of the trained research group conducted face-to-face interviews with each respondent.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most of the respondents considered AR (96.0%) and allergic asthma (96.0%) the most suitable indications for SIT. Of all respondents, 77.0% recommended the application of SIT as early as possible; in addition, SIT was considered 'relatively controllable and safe' by most respondents (80.6%). The highest allergen-positive rate in AR was associated with house dust mite (47.7%) and obvious differences existed among geographical regions. Conventional subcutaneous immunotherapy was the most highly recommended treatment option (96.2%). 'The high cost of SIT' (86.6%) and 'lack of patient knowledge of SIT' (85.2%) were probably the main reasons for the lower clinical use of SIT in China.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most cases showed that the opinions of Chinese ENT specialists appeared to be in agreement with recent SIT progress and international guidelines; however, many areas still need to enhance the standardization and use of SIT in China. Clinical guidelines for SIT require improvement; in addition, Chinese ENT specialists need continuing medical education on SIT.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Han
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China. ; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Changzheng Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Qi-Lei
authors.initials: QL
authors.lastname: Tao
authors.affiliation: Editorial Office, Chinese Journal of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Chinese Medical Association, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Jun-Min
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.affiliation: Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Geng
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China. ; International Centre for Allergy Research, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cheng
keywords: Allergic rhinitis; Chinese otolaryngologists; data collection; specific immunotherapy