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Acupoint Catgut Embedding Therapy in Traditional Chinese Medicine for Managing Allergic Rhinitis
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['Drops for allergy' in children: often applied, but not effective]
1Isala klinieken, Amalia Kinderafdeling, Zwolle. p.l.p.brand@isala.nl
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde
|March 13, 2008
Summary
Commercial allergy services offering sublingual immunotherapy to children are discouraged due to conflicts of interest and lack of proven clinical benefits. Current evidence does not support its use in pediatric atopic disease.
Area of Science:
- Allergy and Immunology
- Pediatric Atopic Diseases
- Immunotherapy
Background:
- Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is a treatment for allergic diseases.
- Commercial entities, often manufacturers of SLIT, provide 'allergy services'.
- These services involve interpreting allergy tests and discussing treatment options.
Discussion:
- A significant conflict of interest arises when commercial firm employees are involved in patient care and treatment recommendations.
- Most allergic conditions can be effectively managed with conventional drug therapies.
- The evidence supporting the clinical efficacy of SLIT in children with atopic conditions is currently insufficient.
Key Insights:
- Discourage the use of commercial 'allergy services' for SLIT due to inherent conflicts of interest.
- Highlight that standard pharmacological treatments are often adequate for managing allergic diseases.
- Emphasize the lack of robust clinical evidence for SLIT's effectiveness in pediatric atopic disease.
Outlook:
- Further well-designed clinical trials are necessary to establish the efficacy and safety of SLIT in children.
- Until such evidence is available, SLIT should not be recommended for pediatric patients with atopic diseases.
- Future research should focus on unbiased evaluation of immunotherapy in pediatric allergy.
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