Data from: Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) for house dust mites does not prevent new allergen sensitization and bronchial hyper-responsiveness in allergic rhinitis children

Introduction: The aim of this study is to identify the effects of
sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) on immunologic parameters and
bronchial-hyper-responsiveness in children with allergic rhinitis to
house-dust mite (HDM), through long-term follow-up cohort. Methods: Among
the Allergic Rhinitis Cohort Study for Kids, pediatric patients who
visited the hospital for rhinitis symptoms and proven allergy to HDM
through skin prick test were studied. In this cohort, 37 patients received
SLIT more than 3-years (SLIT group), and 184 patients received only
pharmacologic therapy (non-SLIT group) were included in this study. The
results of skin prick test, eosinophil percent and count, total
immunoglobulin E (IgE), and bronchial provocation test at initial and
3-year followed-up were compared in the two groups. Results: After 3 year
follow-up, only the serum eosinophil percent decreased more significantly
in SLIT group than that in the non-SLIT group. New-sensitization rate
other than HDM between SLIT and non-SLIT group did not show any
significant differences. The distribution of sensitized allergen other
than HDM showed increasing tendency after 3 years in both groups. Older
age and a small number of sensitized allergen affected the improvement of
bronchial hyper-responsiveness regardless of SLIT. Conclusion: HDM SLIT in
allergic rhinitis children for 3 years in Korea does not affect prevention
of new sensitization and poly-sensitization rate increment, and
improvement of bronchial hyper-responsiveness.