Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of specific immunotherapy (SIT) with standardized dermatophagoides pteronyssinus extract for allergic rhinitis (AR)accompanied with asthma.
Method: One hundred and fifty-five patients (40 AR with asthma, AR & asthma) in accordance with the inclusion criteria of SIT, were allocated to receive standardized Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus extract (SIT group, n = 89) or medical treatment (control group, n = 66). AR with or without asthma was observed separately. Symptom and medicine scores, quality of life were recorded and analyzed before and after 1 year treatment. Side effects were registered. Subjective evaluation of symptoms was made by the patients.
Result: Rhinitis and asthma symptom scores, medicine scores and quality of life were greatly improved in SIT group of AR & asthma after 1 year, which were not significant changed in control group except for medicine scores. The subjective evaluation of symptoms was also significantly improved in SIT group. In patients of AR without asthma, the symptom scores, medicine scores and quality of life were both improved. The SIT group improved greater than that of control group.
Conclusion: The clinical efficacy of patients with AR & asthma was not good with simple medical treatment, while great clinical efficacy could be acquired with SIT.