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SLIT more cost effective than SCIT in treating grass pollen allergies

A sublingual immunotherapy was more cost effective when compared with subcutaneous immunotherapy in treating patients for grass pollen allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, according to recent study results.

Researchers in Germany conducted a literature review, meta-analysis to determine the relative effects and costs associated with a 5-grass tablet (Oralair, Greer/Stallergenes) vs. a mix of subcutaneous allergoid compounds. The researchers searched the PubMed database to identify randomized control trials for all the compounds from the included grasses (sweet vernal, perennial rye, meadow, timothy and cocksfoot) published between March 2012 and May 2013.

Bram G. Verheggen

Allergen immunotherapy treatment with the subcutaneous mix showed a substantial use of health care services because patients needed specialists to administer injections.

The incremental costs and effects after the 3 years of treatment and 6 years of follow-up resulted in a cost-effective ratio of €12,593 per quality-adjusted life-year for 5-grass tablet compared with subcutaneous mix.

“In general cost outcomes are only mildly influenced by parameter uncertainty, as immunotherapy treatment is the main cost driver behind the results on incremental costs,” Bram G. Verheggen, PharmD, MSc, and colleagues wrote.

Incremental costs of the 5-grass tablet vs. the subcutaneous mix decreased because treatment with allergen immunotherapy is associated with fewer hours lost from work.

Disclosure: See the study for full list of relevant financial disclosures.