Abstract

NUNES, Carlos  and  LADEIRA, Susel. Lon-term efficacy of specific immunotherapy in rhino-conjunctivitis to pollens. Rev Port Imunoalergologia [online]. 2012, vol.20, n.4, pp.253-261. ISSN 0871-9721.

Aim: Evaluate long-term clinical efficacy two years after suspension of specific immunotherapy in patients with seasonal rhino--conjunctivitis. Methodology: During five years an immunotherapy extract of grass pollens by subcutaneous route (SCIT) was administered to a group of 16 patients with moderate to severe rhinoconjunctivitis, monosensitised to grass pollens. The mean age of the patients was 27.8 years, with homogeneous sex distribution. After the terminus of SCIT the group was followed during two more years to evaluate symptomatology and the use of rescue medication. We have compared this group with another group who did not perform SCIT. All patients received weekly information about forecasts and grass pollens count in their residential area. An informatics sheet was used to evaluate daily 4 degrees of 6 parameters including nasal and eye symptoms and any use of medication used to control the disease. As statistical method ANOVA test and Student’s t test were used for analyse mean differences between the two groups. For correlations the Spearman method was used. Results: During the immediate 2 years after SCIT in the active group, a significant reduction on symptoms (42%) as well as a reduction on the use of rescue medication (59%) were observed (p<0.01), compared with the control group. The eye symptoms had a higher reduction than nasal symptoms after the suspension of SCIT. Conclusions: A long -term efficacy of SCIT was verified even after the suspension of the treatment, with reduction on symptoms and on use of rescue medication. The use of a daily score of symptoms and needs on rescue medication was very useful to the majority of the patients. Providing regular information to patients regarding pollen count was considered useful to promote a self -management and a better quality of life to the patients

Keywords : Long-term efficacy; pollinosis; pollens; specific immunotherapy.

        · abstract in Portuguese     · text in Portuguese     · Portuguese ( pdf )