[Early compliance and efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy in patients with allergic rhinitis].

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to investigate the efficacy and adverse effects of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) of dust mite drops to allergic rhinitis with mite allergy. The compliance and satisfaction of SLIT were also assessed.

METHOD: One hundred and three patients of allergic rhinitis sensitive to dust mites were treated with SLIT for 6 months or more. The symptom questionnaire,including items on rhinorrhea, sneezing, nasal obstruction, itchy nose, olfactory disturbance, eye discomfort and sleep disturbance were obtained before and 6 months after SLIT. The patients' satisfaction and adverse effects were also investigated.

RESULT: Seventy-five of the 103 patients insist on SLIT for more than 6 months and completed the questionnaire. The duration of receiving SLIT was 9.8 months on average (range from 6 to 13 months). The satisfaction rate was 89.3%. The drop-out rate of SLIT was 31.0%.

CONCLUSION

The subjective symptoms were improved with SLIT in patients with allergic rhinitis sensitive to dust mites. The drop out rate was high despite of the symptomatic improvement.