Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of in vitro, radioallergosorbent test (RAST)-based inhalant allergen immunotherapy.
STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective 22 year single site clinical study, with outcome evaluations of 480 perennial allergic rhinitis patients, including 96 with concomitant asthma.
RESULTS: Rhinitis symptom control after 2 years of immunotherapy was excellent in 32.5% of patients, good in 45.6%, and fair in 14.2%. There was no improvement in 7.7%. For patients with asthma, 81% had good or excellent pulmonary symptom improvement, and no patient failed to improve. No severe reactions occurred, but there were 5 limited systemic reactions, or 0.008% of injections, during a 2.5-year mean immunotherapy treatment course.
CONCLUSION: RAST-based immunotherapy is safe and effective for patients with perennial allergic rhinitis, with or without concomitant asthma.
SIGNIFICANCE: This is the first large, multiyear study of safety and efficacy of RAST-based immunotherapy for treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis and asthma. EBM rating: C.
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