Long-Term Follow-Up of Immunotherapy in Allergic Rhinitis to House Dust Mite / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study was to evaluate the long-term effect of immunotherapy on the allergic rhinitis patients to house dust mite (HDM) patients. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Sixty-five patients were treated for allergic rhinitis in the allergy clinic. Every patient underwent immunotherapy for 3 to 5 years and did not receive any additional treatments after the completion of the initial one. The survey on the symptom improvement and the patients' satisfaction was carried out 3 and 10 years after the immunotherapy treatment. The results of skin prick test for each individual were analyzed before, 3 and 10 years after the immunotherapy, respectively. RESULTS: Overall symptom improvement surveyed 10 years after the immunotherapy decreased compared with that taken after 3 years of the treatment (p<0.05). In particular, symptom improvements on sneezing, itching sensation, and rhinorrhea was significantly decreased after 10 years (p<0.05). Patients' satisfaction level was 64.6% after 3 years and 49.2% after 10 years of the immunotherapy treatment. Skin prick test reactivity was significantly decreased after 3 years of the treatment compared to before the treatment. Although skin prick test reactivity measured in 10 years after immunotherapy increased compared with that measured in 3 years after, there was little statistical significance when compared with the reactivity before the treatment. CONCLUSION: The immunotherapy has long term efficacy on allergic rhinitis to HDM. However, the efficacy decreased after the discontinuance of the immunotherapy treatment.