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Sublingual immunotherapy with Dermatophagoides farinae drops for pediatric atopic dermatitis
Chaodi Huang1,2, Jianping Tang1
1Dermatology and Venereology, Pediatrics Hospital of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.
Insights
Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) with Dermatophagoides farinae drops is a safe and effective treatment for pediatric atopic dermatitis (AD). Effectiveness is maintained post-treatment, with longer durations yielding better results.
Area of Science:
- Allergy and Immunology
- Dermatology
- Pediatric Medicine
Background:
- Pediatric atopic dermatitis (AD) affects numerous children globally.
- Current treatments for AD have limitations in efficacy and safety.
- Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) offers a potential alternative for managing pediatric AD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of SLIT using Dermatophagoides farinae drops in children with AD.
- To compare the efficacy of SLIT with conventional treatments over 1, 2, and 3 years.
- To assess the long-term maintenance of treatment effects after SLIT cessation.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial was conducted with children aged 4-13 years diagnosed with AD.
- Participants were assigned to either the SLIT group (receiving Dermatophagoides farinae drops) or a control group.
- Both groups received standard AD care; treatment duration subgroups (1, 2, 3 years) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Significant improvements in effective rate and curative effect were observed in the SLIT group compared to controls after 2 and 3 years (P < 0.05).
- Post-treatment SCORAD scores were significantly lower in SLIT subgroups versus control subgroups (P < 0.05).
- The SLIT group maintained significantly lower SCORAD scores at 1-year follow-up compared to baseline and controls (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- SLIT with Dermatophagoides farinae drops is a safe and effective therapeutic option for pediatric atopic dermatitis.
- The therapeutic benefits of SLIT are sustained after treatment discontinuation.
- Prolonged duration of SLIT treatment correlates with enhanced efficacy in managing pediatric AD.
Background:
We evaluated the clinical effect and safety of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) with Dermatophagoides farinae drops for pediatric atopic dermatitis (AD).
Methods:
We enrolled children aged 4-13 years with AD and grouped them into the SLIT and control groups using the random number table method. We subdivided each group based on treatment duration (1-, 2-, and 3-year subgroups). The SLIT group received Dermatophagoides farinae drops, and both groups received conventional treatment (topical glucocorticoids, skin moisturizers, oral antihistamines, and allergen avoidance). Effective rate and effect were compared between groups after 1, 2, and 3 years of treatment.
Results:
We assessed 309 SLIT cases (male, 192; age, 4-13 years) and 131 controls (male, 79; age 4-13 years). The effective rate and curative effect after 2 and 3 years of treatment were significantly different between the groups (P < 0.05). The effect and effective rates between corresponding SLIT and control group treatment duration subgroups were significantly different (P < 0.05). SLIT group duration subgroups showed significant differences in the effect and effective rates (P < 0.05). Posttreatment Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) scores in the SLIT group duration subgroups were significantly lower than those of the corresponding control subgroups (P < 0.05). Upon follow-up at 1 year post treatment completion, the SLIT group's SCORAD score was significantly lower than its baseline score and the control group's follow-up score (P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
SLIT with Dermatophagoides farinae drops for pediatric AD is safe and effective; effectiveness is maintained after treatment cessation, and prolonged treatment improves efficacy.
