Early Response of Specific IgE can Predict Satisfaction with Sublingual Immunotherapy

To investigate predictive parameters at baseline and during the early response to sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) for house dust mites in allergic rhinitis patients.

Retrospective cohort study.

Patients were treated with SLIT for at least 3 years and serological tests performed at baseline and at 1-year follow-up to investigate predictive parameters. Satisfaction with SLIT, 4 nasal symptoms, and quality of life were evaluated before and after 3 years of SLIT. Sixty-one patients were enrolled and divided into two groups depending on their satisfaction after 3 years of SLIT: 43 were satisfied (70.5%) and 18 were not (29.5%).

Immunological parameters at baseline did not differ significantly between the satisfactory and unsatisfactory groups. However, changes in both Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp)- and D. farinae (Df)-specific IgEs were significantly higher in the unsatisfactory group than in the satisfactory group during the early response to SLIT (P = .006 and P = .045, respectively).

The changes in both Dp- and Df-specific IgE levels during early response may be indicators for favorable long-term treatment outcomes with SLIT. These results suggest that clinicians could measure these immunological parameters 1 year after Dp and Df SLIT to indicate potential responders versus nonresponders.

2b Laryngoscope, 131:467-472, 2021.