Subcutaneous immunotherapy with house dust mite extract in Indonesian children with allergic rhinitis and asthma: A double-blind randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND

Allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma due to house dust mite (HDM) are increasing in children worldwide, including Indonesia, where the tropical environment favors HDM proliferation. Although Subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) is widely used, local pediatric evidence remains limited.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of HDM SCIT on clinical and immunological outcomes in children with AR and AR plus asthma.

METHODS

A double-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted in 41 children, divided into AR (n = 20) and AR + asthma (n = 21) groups. Participants received weekly HDM SCIT for 14 weeks. Total IgE, specific IgE, IL-10, TGF-β1, Combined Symptom Medication Score (CSMS), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were measured before and after treatment. Statistical analyses included paired t-test, Wilcoxon, independent t-test, and Mann-Whitney, with significance at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

HDM SCIT significantly reduced total IgE, TGF-β1, CSMS, and VAS (p < 0.05). Specific IgE showed a downward trend without statistical significance. IL-10 levels slightly increased but were not significant (p = 0.683). No significant differences in treatment effect were observed between AR and AR + asthma groups (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

HDM SCIT improved clinical outcomes and reduced key immunological markers in children with AR and AR plus asthma, though no intergroup differences were found. These findings provide preliminary evidence supporting HDM SCIT as a safe and beneficial adjunct therapy in Indonesian pediatric populations.