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Updated: Jun 9, 2025
Sublingual Immunotherapy as an Alternative to Induce Protection Against Acute Respiratory Infections
Published on: August 30, 2014
Evaluation of the preventive effect of sublingual immunotherapy for pediatric bronchial asthma
Takanari Kawabe1, Kayoko Kawashima2, Yuko Nagai2
1Osaka Habikino Medical Center - Otorhinolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Osaka, Japan; Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.
Insights
Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) significantly reduced asthma exacerbations in children with allergic rhinitis over three years. This allergy treatment proved more effective than symptomatic care, highlighting SLIT
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Immunotherapy Research
Background:
- Allergic rhinitis is a common condition in children, often co-existing with asthma.
- Asthma exacerbations in children necessitate effective preventive strategies.
- Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is a treatment option for allergic diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in preventing asthma exacerbations.
- To compare the rate of asthma exacerbation in children receiving SLIT versus symptomatic treatment.
- To identify factors influencing asthma exacerbation in the context of SLIT.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 328 children (aged 5-15) diagnosed with allergic rhinitis.
- Comparison of SLIT group (n=151) with symptomatic treatment group (n=177) over three years.
- Statistical analysis including chi-square, Fisher's exact tests, and multiple regression to control for age and assess significance.
Main Results:
- Lower rates of asthma exacerbation observed in the SLIT group compared to the symptomatic treatment group over three years.
- Significant reduction in exacerbations noted in cedar-only and combined SLIT subgroups.
- Duration of SLIT was identified as a significant factor in preventing asthma exacerbations via multiple regression analysis.
Conclusions:
- Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is an effective strategy for reducing asthma exacerbations in children with allergic rhinitis.
- SLIT offers a significant advantage over symptomatic treatment in long-term asthma management for this pediatric population.
- The findings support the continued use and investigation of SLIT for allergic respiratory diseases.
Objective:
This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in preventing the exacerbation of asthma.
Methods:
This retrospective study investigated the changes in the rate of continuous steroid inhalation introduced over three years due to SLIT in 328 patients aged 5-15 years who were diagnosed with allergic rhinitis between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2019. These patients were not initially prescribed with continuous steroid inhalation. SLIT and symptomatic treatment groups were compared over 3 years using chi-square and Fisher's exact tests, controlling for age with multiple regression analysis. The SLIT subgroups and factors contributing to asthma exacerbation were examined as secondary endpoints.
Results:
The study comprised 151 patients in the SLIT group and 177 patients in the symptomatic treatment group, with higher average age and IgE levels in the SLIT group. High continuation rates for SLIT were observed over 3 years. Asthma exacerbation within 3 years was notably lower in the SLIT group, particularly in the cedar-only and combined SLIT groups. Multiple regression analysis confirmed the duration of SLIT as a significant factor in preventing asthma exacerbation. Additionally, Fisher's exact test supported these findings.
Conclusion:
This study demonstrated the effectiveness of SLIT in reducing the exacerbation of asthma in children with allergic rhinitis. SLIT was associated with lower rates of asthma exacerbation over a three-year period compared to symptomatic treatment.
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