OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) combined with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) versus ICS alone in children with mild and moderate dust mite allergic asthma.

METHODSThirty-two children with mild and moderate dust mite allergic asthma were randomly divided into two groups: SLIT+ICS (n=18) and ICS alone (n=14). A total of 30 children completed the one year clinical observation . The amount of ICS administration, the day and night symptom scores, skin-prick test and pulmonary function test results, serum specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) and G4 (sIgG4) levels and visual analog scale (VAS) scores were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSBy the end of one year the SLIT+ICS group had significantly decreased amount of ICS administration than the ICS alone group. Compared with the ICS alone group, the day and night symptom scores decreased, FEF25-75% increased significantly, and serum sIgE levels and VAS scores were significantly reduced in the SLIT+ICS group. There were no statistical differences in the skin-prick test results, and FEV1 and sIgG4 levels between the two groups. No severe adverse events occurred in both groups during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONSSLIT combined with ICS may produce a better efficacy than ICS alone in the improvement of day and night symptoms, pulmonary function and VAS scores in children with dust mite-allergic asthma.