title: Clinical efficacy of immunotherapy in allergic rhinitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Aeroallergen immunotherapy (AIT) should be considered for patients who exhibit symptoms of allergic rhinitis (AR), rhinoconjunctivitis, and/or asthma after natural exposure to allergens and who also demonstrate specific immunoglobulin E antibodies against relevant allergens.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this paper, clinical efficacy of immunotherapy in allergic rhinitis is reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy (SCIT) is effective for seasonal and perennial AR. Sustained effectiveness requires several years of treatment. SCIT may prevent the development of allergic asthma in children with AR. Sublingual allergen immunotherapy (SLIT) is currently considered an alternative treatment to the subcutaneous route. The use of SLIT has been included in international guidelines for the treatment of AR with or without conjunctivitis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients treated with SCIT are at risk of both local and systemic adverse reactions; however, in most cases, symptoms are readily reversible if they are recognized early and treated promptly. The safety profile of SLIT is good; therefore, SLIT can be self-administered by patients in their homes. In this article, we reviewed the efficacy and safety of allergen immunotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Department, Private Polatlı Can Hospital, Polatli-Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Tugba
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Oktemer
authors.forename: Niyazi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Altıntoprak
authors.forename: Nuray Bayar
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Muluk
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Senturk
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kar
authors.forename: Sameer Ali
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Bafaqeeh
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bellussi
authors.forename: Desiderio
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Passali
authors.forename: Cemal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cingi
mesh_terms: D000286:Administration, Sublingual; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic / Q000379:methods*; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000378:metabolism; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D065631:Rhinitis, Allergic / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D012646:Self Administration
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E