Abstract
We performed an epidemiological survey to examine the choice of treatment and the method of immunotherapy administration in outpatients (261 males, 266 femals) who visited the Allergy Section of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at Jikei University Hospital between 1996 and 1998. Since many of the patients had already received ineffective treatment for their symptoms, 80.8% of the subjects, including those who were referred from other hospitals, received immunotherapy. Before administering the therapy, we explained the procedure to the patients and informed them that a long time period was required before the effects of the therapy would be appreciated. Informed consent was obtained from each subject. We examined the treatment process in 143 subjects who received immunotherapy at our hospital ; 34.3% of the subjects discontinued their therapy before the maintenance dose was achieved. The subjects who achieved the maintenance dose took the medicine less frequently and exhibited fewer symptoms than the subjects who discontinued the therapy. For the successful treatment of allergic rhinitis, the severity, symptoms, patient's expectations and life style must be taken into consideration when deciding on a treatment strategy. When immunotherapy is administered, good communication with the patient and measures to encourage the continuation of therapy are essential. New methods, of immunotherapy that do not require frequent hospital visits and injections are needed.
