Patient knowledge, perceptions, expectations and satisfaction on allergen-specific immunotherapy: a survey

Area of Science:

• Allergy and Immunology
• Patient-Centered Care
• Immunotherapy Research

Background:

• Current guidelines advocate for personalized approaches in allergy treatment.
• Patient perspectives offer valuable insights for tailoring allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT).
• This study investigates patient viewpoints on subcutaneous (SCIT) and sublingual (SLIT) immunotherapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate patient knowledge, perceptions, expectations, and satisfaction with SIT.
• To compare patient and physician satisfaction levels regarding SIT.
• To explore patient motivations for undergoing SIT.

Main Methods:

• A multicentre cross-sectional study utilizing a 28-question survey.
• Survey administered to patients with respiratory allergies undergoing SCIT or SLIT.
• Physicians independently reported their satisfaction with SIT for each patient.

Main Results:

• 434 patients completed surveys; most perceived SIT as safe and easy to integrate.
• Key motivations included altering disease course and dissatisfaction with pharmacotherapy.
• High patient (74/100) and physician (78/100) satisfaction correlated significantly (r=0.612 for SCIT, r=0.608 for SLIT).

Conclusions:

• The majority of patients demonstrated adequate knowledge, perceptions, and satisfaction with SIT.
• Patient perspectives align well with physician perceptions and satisfaction.
• Findings support incorporating patient viewpoints into chronic SIT treatment strategies.