Allergen Immunotherapy safe and effective therapy for allergic Rhinitis with Rheumatic Autoimmune Disease

Allergen Immunotherapy was found to be a safe and effective treatment modality in patients with allergic rhinitis complicated by Rheumatic Autoimmune Disease according to a study published in the journal, Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology, 2022. 

Allergic Rhinitis (AR) is a common allergic disease that is caused by an IgE-mediated inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. Allergen Immunotherapy (AIT) has modified the natural history of allergic diseases. AIT has been absolutely or relatively contraindicated in patients with Rheumatic Autoimmune diseases (RADs) as the overall effect of AIT on the immune system has not been explored much. As there were no long-term studies on patients with RADs receiving AIT, researchers from Japan conducted a study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of AITs in patients with RADs. 

A single-center retrospective observational study was conducted on RAD patients receiving AIT for AR. Changes in the activity of RAD patients who were undergoing AIT treatment were investigated for 2 years from baseline, including those who discontinued it. Using the Japan Allergic Rhinitis Standard Quality of Life Questionnaire the effectiveness of AIT was investigated. 

Results: 

• 13 patients with RADs were enrolled in the study.
• Sublingual immunotherapy was given to all patients. 4 discontinued AIT due to adverse events.
• During the observation period, the symptoms of RADs in three patients worsened but none of them were causally related to AIT.
• Most of the adverse events associated with AIT were mild, in which only 1 patient required drug intervention due to worsening rhinitis symptoms.
• In the 9 patients who were able to continue AIT, the eye and nasal symptom scores showed a significant improvement from baseline to 2nd year of treatment. 

Thus, the researchers concluded that in patients with allergic rhinitis complicated by RADs Allergen Immunotherapy is a safe and effective treatment modality. 

For the full article, click here: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13223-022-00703-0 

Fujioka K, Kasahara A, Kida T, et al. Effectiveness and safety of allergen immunotherapy in patients with allergic rhinitis complicated by rheumatic autoimmune diseases: a case series study. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2022;18(1):63. Published 2022 Jul 11.