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SCIT, SLIT may be underused for allergic rhinitis symptoms

Recent data suggest that subcutaneous or sublingual immunotherapy may be an underused option that could benefit patients who are unable to manage their allergic rhinitis symptoms with oral and intranasal antihistamines, decongestants, and corticosteroid nasal sprays.

Robert Anolik, MD, of Allergy & Asthma Specialists in Blue Bell, Pa., and colleagues conducted a retrospective review of electronic health records of patients treated there with allergic rhinitis. The researchers reported that 36.2% of 8,790 patients (57% adults) initiated subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT; 78%) or sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT; 22%).

The type of immunotherapy chosen by patients was associated with comorbidities, including chronic sinusitis (8.1% for immunotherapy vs. 10% for no immunotherapy), allergic conjunctivitis (12.5% for immunotherapy vs. 18.5% for no immunotherapy), and asthma (33.8% for immunotherapy vs. 37.4% for no immunotherapy; P<.05), according to data.

Patients who chose SCIT vs. SLIT drops tended to be older women with select comorbidities and more allergy medication usage at initiation (P<.05), the researchers wrote.

In addition, only 30.2% of patients completed at least 3 years of the recommended immunotherapy, but the median duration of therapy was longer for adults on SCIT vs. SLIT drops (3 years vs. 1.6 years).

Further data indicated that 35.4% of children completed treatment, with a longer median time on SCIT (4.7 years) vs. SLIT drops (3.5 years), according to researchers.

“Although multiple factors, including patient preference, adherence, tolerability, response to other medications, and allergen avoidance techniques, are considerations in initiation, [allergen immunotherapy] remains an important option, particularly for patients seeking long-term relief,” the researchers concluded.

Disclosure: Felicia Allen-Ramey, PhD, and Shiva Sajjan, PhD, are employees of Merck. Robert Anolik, MD, has been a speaker for Merck. Ann Marie Schwartz, RN, reports no relevant financial disclosures.