Clinical Efficacy during the First Year in 64 Patients Receiving Mite Sublingual Immunotherapy

Abstract

　Sublingual immunotherapy is used for patients with perennial allergic rhinitis caused by mite allergy. We studied the clinical efficacy, during the first year, of mite sublingual immunotherapy. Data of a total of 64 patients at a single clinic (38 male, age range 12-53 years, 20.5±10.8 years, on average) who were started on Miticure^® and followed up until the end of 2018 were analyzed. The clinical efficacy was evaluated by determining the symptom scores and the score on the face scale of the Japanese Rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire No. 1 before treatment, after 6 months of treatment and after 1 year of treatment. Adverse events were recorded at every visit. The symptom severity scores prior to/at 6 months/at 1 year (mean±standard deviation) were 1.3±1.1/0.8±0.9/0.7±0.7 for sneezing, 1.6±1.2/0.8±0.9/0.7±0.6 for rhinorrhea, 1.6±1.2/1.0±1.1/0.8±0.8 for congestion, and 1.7±0.9/1.2±0.9/1.1±0.8 for the face scale. All items showed significant improvement after the start of mite sublingual immunotherapy. Significant improvement of the severity was noted in 26 patients (40.6%), mild improvement was noted in 26 patients (40.6%) and no change in the severity was noted in 12 patients (18.8%). Adverse events were reported in 42 patients (65.6%), although none of the adverse events required any treatments. Significant improvement of the nasal symptoms was observed at 6 months and 1 year after the start of mite sublingual immunotherapy.