[Clinical efficacy and costs of the three-year specific allergen immunotherapy--retrospective study]

Morbidity on allergic diseases has been increasing in the last years. They are becoming important medical, social and economical problem all over the world. Allergic rhinitis and asthma are one of the most common allergic diseases. Specific allergen immunotherapy (SIT) has additional effects, not shared by pharmacological therapy; it has long-lasting preventive effect, especially the capacity to modify the natural course of the allergic diseases.

To evaluate the clinical efficacy and costs of specific immunotherapy in patients with allergic diseases.

The study were carried out on the group of 83 allergic patients treated with three-years subcutaneous SIT Clinical efficacy of SIT, costs of SIT and costs of one-year symptomatic treatment before and after SIT were assessed.

Three-years subcutaneous allergen-specific immunotherapy decreases allergic symptoms about 80% and reduces costs of symptoms-relieving drug about 70%. Patients with allergic bronchial asthma gain most clinical and economical benefits with SIT while presence of atopic dermatitis is correlated with less effective immunotherapy.

From public payer's and patient's perspective, SIT essentially reduces costs of symptoms-relieving treatment, especially in patients with allergic bronchial asthma. It can be a premise to consider to increase a level of refund of specific immunotherapy in Poland.