Effect of Pollen-Specific Sublingual Immunotherapy on Oral Allergy Syndrome: An Observational Study

World Allergy Organization Journal

Jörg Schnitker¹  Hendrik Wolf³  Karl-Christian Bergmann² 

[1] Institut für angewandte Statistik GmbH, Bielefeld, Germany;Allergie-Centrum-Charité/ECARF, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany;ALK-SCHERAX Arzneimittel GmbH, Wedel, Germany

关键词: sublingual;    rhinoconjunctivitis;    pollen;    oral allergy syndrome;    immunotherapy;   

Others  :  825147
DOI  :  10.1097/WOX.0b013e3181752d1c

 received in 2008-03-07, accepted in 2008-03-07,  发布年份 2008

【 摘 要 】

Background

Oral allergy syndrome (OAS) triggered by fruit and vegetables often occurs in patients with pollen-induced rhinoconjunctivitis because of cross-reactive epitopes in pollen and associated foods. This open observational study examined the effect of pollen-specific sublingual immunotherapy ([SLIT] B. U. Pangramin or SLITone involving birch/alder/hazel, grasses/rye, and/or mugwort) on OAS triggered by several foods in patients treated in standard practice. Very few studies have examined SLIT use in this situation.

Methods

Patients (n = 102) had pollen-induced rhinoconjunctivitis and OAS and were followed for up to 12 months. Baseline OAS (triggers, symptoms, and symptom severity) was assessed by questionnaire and patient history. Change in OAS was assessed using oral challenge test with 1 or 2 dominant food triggers (and compared with the sum score calculated from the OAS questionnaire at baseline) and clinician ratings of change. Pollen-induced rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms and medication use were also measured.

Results

In the oral challenge test, 77.0% of patients were considered responders (decrease in sum score of ≥ 50%; no difference in patients receiving B. U. Pangramin or SLITone). At baseline, investigators rated OAS severity as at least moderate in 94.9% of patients compared with 36.9% after 12 months of treatment. After 12 months, OAS was rated as much or very much improved in 72.9% of patients. Sublingual immunotherapy significantly reduced rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms and medication use. Only 10% of patients experienced adverse drug reactions.

Conclusion

This study supplements the sparse literature on this topic and suggests that pollen-specific SLIT can reduce OAS triggered by pollen-associated foods in patients with pollen-induced rhinoconjunctivitis.

【 授权许可】

   
2008 World Allergy Organization; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

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