Safety and Efficacy of Radioallergosorbent Test-Based Allergen Imunotherapy in Treatment of Perennial Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of in vitro, radioallergosorbent test (RAST)-based inhalant allergen immunotherapy. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective 22 year single site clinical study, with outcome evaluations of 480 perennial allergic rhinitis patients, including 96 with concomitant asthma. RESULTS: Rhinitis symptom control after 2 years of immunotherapy was excellent in 32.5% of patients, good in 45.6%, and fair in 14.2%. There was no improvement in 7.7%. For patients with asthma, 81% had good or excellent pulmonary symptom improvement, and no patient failed to improve. No severe reactions occurred, but there were 5 limited systemic reactions, or 0.008% of injections, during a 2.5-year mean immunotherapy treatment course. CONCLUSION: RAST-based immunotherapy is safe and effective for patients with perennial allergic rhinitis, with or without concomitant asthma. SIGNIFICANCE: This is the first large, multiyear study of safety and efficacy of RAST-based immunotherapy for treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis and asthma. EBM rating: C.