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Updated: Jan 12, 2026
Sublingual Immunotherapy as an Alternative to Induce Protection Against Acute Respiratory Infections
Published on: August 30, 2014
Sublingual immunotherapy in children with asthma: A population-based register study
Jon R Konradsen1,2,3, Cecilia Lundholm3, Anna M Hedman3
1Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Insights
Longer sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in children with asthma improves outcomes. Increased parental education was linked to longer SLIT duration, which in turn reduced uncontrolled asthma symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Real-world Evidence Studies
Background:
- Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) administered daily for three years is known to reduce allergic disease symptoms and induce tolerance.
- Real-world data on children with asthma undergoing SLIT is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the characteristics of children with asthma prescribed SLIT.
- To analyze SLIT duration and its impact on asthma morbidity in a real-world setting.
Main Methods:
- Population-based study utilizing the Swedish National Airway Register (SNAR) and other national registers.
- Included 1,514 children (5-17 years) with asthma prescribed SLIT, with 782 having post-SLIT data.
- Data extracted included age, sex, Asthma Control Test scores, spirometry, SLIT dispensing records, and socioeconomic background.
Main Results:
- SLIT was more prevalent in boys (69%) and adolescents (71%).
- Higher parental education was associated with longer SLIT duration (≥4 months).
- SLIT duration exceeding 12 months correlated with a reduced risk of uncontrolled asthma (aOR=0.49).
Conclusions:
- Extended duration of SLIT in children with asthma is associated with parental higher education.
- Longer SLIT treatment is linked to a decreased likelihood of uncontrolled asthma.
- Strategies to enhance SLIT adherence in pediatric asthma patients could yield significant clinical benefits.
Background:
Daily sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) for 3 years reduces symptoms of allergic disease and induces tolerance. Real-life data from children with asthma receiving SLIT are scarce.
Objective:
We used population-based data to describe characteristics, SLIT duration, and changes in morbidity in children with asthma prescribed SLIT.
Methods:
The study included children (5-17 years) with asthma who were prescribed SLIT, and who were registered in the Swedish National Airway Register (SNAR) before SLIT initiation (N = 1,514), of whom 782 had post-SLIT recordings in the SNAR. Age, sex, Asthma Control Test score (≤19 denotes uncontrolled asthma), spirometry data, number of SLIT tablets dispensed, and socioeconomic background were extracted from the SNAR and other national registers. SLIT duration was classified as <4, ≥4, >12, or >24 months.
Results:
SLIT was more common in boys (69%) and adolescents (71%). Most children had parents with higher education (70%), and 25% had uncontrolled asthma. SLIT duration of ≥4, >12, and >24 months was identified in 86%, 50%, and 30%, respectively. Parents with higher education were associated with SLIT duration of ≥4 months (odds ratio = 3.69; 95% confidence interval 2.75-4.96). SLIT duration of >12 months was associated with lower risk of post-SLIT uncontrolled asthma (adjusted odds ratio = 0.49; 95% confidence interval, 0.25-0.99). No associations were found between SLIT duration of ≥4, >12, or >24 months and changes in spirometry.
Conclusion:
Longer SLIT duration was associated with higher education in parents and lower risk of uncontrolled asthma. Measures to improve persistence in SLIT in children with asthma may have important clinical implications.
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