Clinical Efficacy of Allergen Specific Immunotherapy (ASIT) in Allergic Rhinitis
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Abstract
Though efficacy of Allergen Specific Immunotherapy (ASIT) has been proved in many studies, reports about success in clinical practice and under field conditions in alleviating the suffering or decreasing the morbidity in patients of Allergic Rhinitis are few. 260 patients of Allergic Rhinitis without coexisting diseases were included. Skin prick test was done on all patients. ASIT was initiated with common inhalant indoor allergens as per standard protocol and patients were assessed at the start and at 2 m, 6 m and 18 months of ASIT. ASIT was able to significantly reduce the symptom score in all the three groups namely sneezing, rhinorrhoea and nasal itching (p < 0.001). Concurrently it was also able to produce a significant reduction in the usage of concomitant drug intake (p < 0.001) thereby implying a decrease in morbidity. When assessed regarding clinical efficacy, ASIT was found to be satisfactory or highly effective in more than 75% patients. ASIT has got a role in clinical practice in polysensitized patients in field conditions. This is based on the evidence that besides decrease in hypersensitivity/symptoms, it also has an effect on minimizing the necessity of taking drugs to relieve the symptoms, which has strong implications of economics and toxicity, while treating patients.
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