Long-term benefit after allergen immunotherapy to HDM in elderly patients with allergic rhinitis

INTRODUCTION: Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is an effective therapy for allergic rhinitis and may have long-term benefits. However, these benefits have not been strictly defined for older people. AIM: The evaluation of the effectiveness of AIT in patients over 60 with allergic rhinitis and house dust mites (HDM) allergy over a period of 7 years was performed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients after three years of HDM-AIT were observed to assess the sustained clinical effect of treatment. The average adjusted symptom score (AAdSS) and sIgG4 were monitored for 7 years after sublingual (SLIT) and injection AIT (SCIT). RESULTS: After 3 years of HDM-AIT, a significant clinical effect was observed in the group after SLIT and SCIT based on AAdSS compared to the baseline and the placebo group (p < 0.05). After 7 years of follow-up, there was a sustained trend of decrease in clinical symptoms in desensitized patients relative to placebo. Serum sIgG4 was constantly present in all desensitized patients. CONCLUSIONS: AIT may be beneficial for treating seniors with allergic rhinitis and allergies to house dust mites.