D3.227 - The effect of subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy after one year on the quality of life of children with perennial allergic rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis

Allergic rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis (AR/ARC) induced by house dust mites often begin in childhood and negatively impacts a child’s quality of life. The daily burden can be further compounded by comorbid asthma. Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is the only available treatment targeting the underlying cause of allergic disease. The aim: To assess the quality of life of children with perennial AR/ARC before treatment and after one year of subcutaneous AIT treatment with house dust mite allergens. 

The results of treatment of thirty-one patients aged 5 to 12 years with perennial AR/ARC were assessed using the Children's Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (PRQLQ) before treatment and one year later. Subcutaneous AIT was performed with polymerized extracts of house dust mite allergens (Immunotek, Spain) in children with perennial AR/ARC induced by house dust mites.  

There were more polysensitized children (74.19%) in the trial. The most common comorbidities were asthma (38.7%), and seasonal rhinoconjunctivitis (29.03%), and atopic dermatitis (25.8%). The results of the PRQLQ questionnaire showed a statistically significant reduction in perennial AR/ARC symptoms, as well as an improvement in the quality of life associated with the disease. The average value of the total score at the beginning of treatment was 58.87±13.79, and after 1 year it decreased to 33.62±16.10 (p=0.000). Children with perennial AR/ARC experience the greatest discomfort due to difficulty in nasal breathing, and the presence of other nasal symptoms (14.93±3.49 and after one year 8.31±4.49 respectively, p=0.000), as well as due to various practical problems (17.43±4.01 and after one year 9.93±4.86 respectively, p=0.000), which complicate everyday life.  

The results of study showed the disease-modifying effect an improvement in the quality of life in children with the use of AIT for the treatment of children with perennial AR/ARC.