Factors influencing the response to specific immunotherapy for asthma in children aged 5-16 years.

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors predicting the response to allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) in children with asthma.

METHODS

The case notes of children with asthma who received ASIT for 2 years were retrospectively reviewed. The cases were then divided into an effective clinical response group, defined as absence of asthma symptoms without requirement for medication for at least 6 months during follow up; and an ineffective clinical response group. At the time of initiating treatment, blood was collected for analysis of serum total IgE. Family history of atopy, history of passive smoking, onset age of wheezing and so on was obtained from each patient. Ten factors that may influence children's response were analyzed on logistic regression analysis and compared between groups.

RESULTS

A total of 99 children with asthma received ASIT s.c. for 2 years during September 2007-February 2010. The average age was 8.66 ± 0.30 years. Good response to ASIT was found in 72 cases, while an inadequate response was found in 27 cases. Of the 10 factors tested for correlation with clinical response to ASIT, a significant correlation was found with onset age of wheezing and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). The odds ratio for the onset age of wheezing was 2.81 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.40-5.65, P = 0.004) and that for AHR was 1.33 (95%CI: 1.04-1.70, P = 0.021).

CONCLUSION

Potential predictors for the response to ASIT in children with asthma were identified. Onset age of wheezing and AHR may influence response to ASIT.