Safety of Grass Pollen Sublingual Immunotherapy for Allergic Rhinitis in Concomitant Asthma

摘要

Seasonal allergic rhinitis (AR) occurs predominantly as a result of grass pollen allergy. Grass pollen sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) has been proven effective in treating AR¹. SLIT is currently licensed for use in AR with concomitant stable mild asthma. There is evidence that SLIT improves asthma control when primarily used to treat AR². The aim was to assess the safety of SLIT in patients with severe seasonal allergic rhinitis who have co-existing stable mild asthma. The secondary aim was to determine whether asthma control improved post SLIT. There was no deterioration in asthma control after 6-36 months of SLIT. 27/30 (90%) patients’ asthma control remained stable or indeed improved (p0.021). Of this 15 (50%) patients’ asthma improved. There was no statistically significant change in their asthma pharmacotherapy after SLIT (p=0.059). In conclusion, grass pollen SLIT is safe and can potentially treat dual allergic rhinitis- mild asthmatic patients.