OBJECTIVETo evaluate the long-term effect of house dust mite subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR).

METHODSA total of 102 patients with allergic rhinitis (not associated asthma) were recruited into the study. These patients were randomly divided into two groups: SCIT group and ST (symptomatic therapy) group. The patients were investigated for SCIT with standardized allergen vaccine for 3 years or no SIT only symptomatic therapy respectively. After the termination of SCIT, these patients were followed-up continuously for another 2 years. The therapeutic evaluation index included: rhinitis symptoms score, drug score, skin prick test, serum specific IgE (sIgE), as well as the number of development of asthma and the new sensitization. SPSS 11.0 software was used to analyze the data.

RESULTSClinical symptom scores, drug scores, and skin test result all improved significantly after the treatment with SCIT compared to SCIT before and ST group (P < 0.01). Two years after the termination of SCIT, the same parameters showed no significant difference compared to 3 years before (P > 0.05). No rhinitis patients in SCIT group developed to asthma, only 4.7% of patients had been found to have new allergen. In the meantime, 22.0% of the patients with rhinitis in ST group developed asthma, and 41.5% patients were found to have new allergen. No severe adverse events occurred.

CONCLUSIONSThe symptoms of the patients with allergic rhinitis were obviously improved by SCIT and a long-term curative effect could be maintained. It should be early applicated, which could prevent allergic rhinitis developed to asthma.