Specific immunotherapy for rhinitis and asthma with a subcutaneous hypoallergenic high-dose house dust mite extract: results of a 9-month therapy

Abstract

Aim: Effectiveness of a 9-month specific immunotherapy with a subcutaneous hypoallergenic high-dose house dust mite extract to reduce allergic symptoms as perceived by patients and physicians was assessed. Patients & methods: An observational, retrospective, multicenter study was carried out in patients diagnosed with asthma and/or rhinitis caused by house dust mites having started specific immunotherapy with Acaroid®. Primary end point was perceived effectiveness. Results: A total of 409 patients were included. According to physician-completed visual analogue scale, a 58.1% clinical improvement was observed. Patient-completed visual analogue scale showed a 69.8% clinical improvement. The need for unscheduled/emergency healthcare, as an indication of poor quality of life, showed a significant reduction. Conclusion: Our results confirm in a real-world setting the findings from randomized clinical trials of high-dose house dust mites allergoid immunotherapy with a subcutaneous hypoallergenic high-dose house dust mite extract.