Role of sublingual immunotherapy in management of patients with moderate to severe allergic rhinitis: 1-year randomized controlled study

Abstract Objective The aim of this prospective study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in moderate to severe monosensitized and polysensitized allergic rhinitis patients. Methods In this study,75 patients with moderate to severe allergic rhinitis were randomized to receive SLIT ( n = 50) or placebo ( n = 25) for 1-year duration. Subjective and objective evaluations were performed at baseline and then at 6 and 12 months of therapy. Allergen-specific IgG and nasal smear for eosinophilic count were studied at baseline and 12 months. Results SLIT demonstrated a significant reduction of total nasal symptom scores (TNSS), Juniper Rhinitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) scores, total medication score (TMS), and visual analogue scale score (VAS) ( P < .001) when compared with placebo. Serum sIgG levels increased in the SLIT group at 12 months compared with placebo group ( P < .001). Nasal smear for eosinophilic count decreased in SLIT group at 12 months. No relevant systemic symptoms were registered. Conclusion SLIT is an effective, safe, and well-tolerated treatment for allergic rhinitis.