Allergen-specific immunotherapy prescription patterns in veterinary practice: a US population-based cohort study

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Dermatology
• Immunology
• Clinical Practice Research

Background:

• Adherence to allergen-specific immunotherapy treatment (ASIT) is a potential challenge in veterinary medicine.
• Limited data exists on the utilization of allergen testing and subsequent ASIT initiation in general veterinary practices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate patterns of ASIT use in general veterinary practices across the United States.
• To determine the rates of ASIT initiation and continuation following allergen testing.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective analysis of invoiced service descriptions from a database of 177 veterinary hospitals (173 general practices) in 44 states.
• Data included allergen tests and ASIT orders for 2,557 dogs and 121 cats.

Main Results:

• 42% of general practice patients did not commence ASIT after testing, and 29% did not refill ASIT after the initial order.
• ASIT initiation and refill rates were higher in dogs than cats and significantly higher in specialty practices (94.4% initiation, 92.7% refill) compared to general practices.
• Factors such as practice type, patient demographics, and geographic region influenced ASIT initiation and adherence.

Conclusions:

• A significant proportion of veterinary clients do not continue ASIT beyond the initial prescription, falling short of the recommended 12-month duration for efficacy assessment.
• Discrepancies in ASIT initiation suggest potential differences in how general and specialized dermatology practices interpret and utilize allergen testing results.
• Improving ASIT adherence is crucial for effective management of allergic conditions in veterinary patients.