Sublingual allergen immunotherapy (SLIT) is considered to be safer and more convenient than subcutaneus immunotherapy. SLIT trials with house dust mites involving patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma reported discordant results. The aim of the study was to investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of SLIT with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (D.pt) extract produced in Serbia and patient's satisfaction through open-label trial. Adult patients with allergic rhinitis were randomized into two groups: one received drugs and SLIT, while other received only drugs. Symptom score (SS), medication score (MS) and cumulative score (CS), skin prick tests (SPT) and serum level of D. pt specific IgE were assessed. One year after, the patients were re-evaluated. In total, 61 patients were enrolled in the study, but 52 of them were analyzed at the end of the year. CS (29.3%, p<0.001) and MS (54.3%, p<0.05) reduced significantly in the SLIT group. There was a significant improvement of MS and CS in the SLIT compared to control group (p<0.001 and p<0.05 respectively). There was no significant improvement of SS as well as specific slgE. Patients in the SLIT group were more satisfied with treatment (p<0.001). The incidence of mild adverse reaction was 38.4%. Specific lgG was not done. One year SLIT with D.pt extract was clinically efficient treatment in AR patients.
Keywords: Allergic rhinitis; Asthma; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus; Efficacy; Sublingual Immunotherapy.