OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of rush immunotherapy (RIT) for patients with persistent allergic rhinitis (AR).

METHODSIn this study, a total number of thirty three (33) patients who suffered mite allergic rhinitis were included. These patients completed one year subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT). Using RIT, the patients underwent the incremental dose phase in a week instead of 15 weeks in a conventional treatment procedure. The symptom scores, visual analog scale (VAS), appropriate medication score, total blood serum IgE, dermatophagoides pteronyssinus specificity IgG4, mite allergy skin prick test (SPT), dermatophagoides farinae nasal provocation test (NPT) and the incidence of adverse reactions were used to evaluate the efficiency and safety of RIT.

RESULTSAfter one year SCIT treatment, the symptom score and VAS scores were significantly decreased, the corresponding medication usage was significantly reduced (8.91 ± 1.84, 20.64 ± 6.99 vs. 4.97 ± 2.92, 11.94 ± 7.21, t value was 9.15, 7.11, both P < 0.001) and the cutaneous reactions to mite allergen were significantly decreased (P < 0.001) as well. However, dermatophagoides pteronyssinus-specific serum IgG4 increased significantly (Z = -4.517, P < 0.001). The concentration of dermatophagoides farinae nasal provocation test (NPT) was significantly increased. After the treatment, the number of patients who had positive reactions to high concentration nasal provocation test (NPT) increased (χ² = 1.93, P = 0.38). During the treatment, all the patients experienced local reactions, and specifically there were four patients got general reactions.

CONCLUSIONRIT is safe and effective. It shortened the incremental dose phase remarkably. NPT is a good indicator for diagnosing allergic rhinitis and evaluating the efficacy of the treatment.