title: Sublingual immunotherapy in patients with house dust mite allergic rhinitis: prospective study of clinical outcomes over a two-year period.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sublingual immunotherapy in patients with allergic rhinitis sensitised to house dust mites is safe, but its efficacy is controversial and sublingual immunotherapy with Blomia tropicalis has not yet been studied. This study sought to evaluate the efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy with house dust mite extract in children and adults with house dust mite allergic rhinitis over a period of two years.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective observational study was conducted of children and adults diagnosed with house dust mite allergic rhinitis who were treated with sublingual immunotherapy from 2008 to 2012. Total Nasal Symptom Scores, Mini Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life scores and medication usage scores were assessed prospectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-nine patients, comprising 24 children and 15 adults, were studied. Total Nasal Symptom Scores and Mini Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life scores dropped significantly at three months into therapy, and continued to improve. Medication usage scores improved at one year into immunotherapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sublingual immunotherapy with house dust mite extracts, including B tropicalis, is efficacious as a treatment for patients with house dust mite allergic rhinitis.
authors.affiliation: University Children's Medical Institute, National University Health Systems,Singapore.
authors.forename: J Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Soh
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics,International Medical University Clinical School,Seremban,Malaysia.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thalayasingam
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery,National University Health Systems,Singapore.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ong
authors.affiliation: Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences,Agency for Science,Technology and Research ('A*STAR'),Singapore.
authors.forename: E X L
authors.initials: EX
authors.lastname: Loo
authors.affiliation: University Children's Medical Institute, National University Health Systems,Singapore.
authors.forename: L P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Shek
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery,National University Health Systems,Singapore.
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Chao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D039981:Pyroglyphidae; D011788:Quality of Life; D065631:Rhinitis, Allergic / Q000628:therapy*; D063729:Sublingual Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents
keywords: Allergic; Dust Mites; House; Rhinitis; Sublingual Immunotherapy