Authors: Smits, William L.¹; Giese, Jeannie K.²; Letz, Kevin L.³; Inglefield, Joseph T.⁴; Schlie, Austin R.²

Source: Allergy and Asthma Proceedings, Volume 28, Number 3, May-June 2007 , pp. 305-312(8)

Publisher: OceanSide Publications, Inc

Abstract:

Conventional immunotherapy (IT) is effective in treating allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma, and chronic rhinosinusitis. Disadvantages include poor compliance, delayed efficacy, and patient frustration. Rush IT, or rapid desensitization, offers the advantages of rapid response, improved compliance, and cost-effectiveness. Although premedication with corticosteroids and antihistamines dramatically reduces systemic reactions, safety remains a primary concern. Two separate half-day schedules with minor differences were used to rapidly desensitize 893 patients (aged 1.5-77 years) in two typical outpatient settings equipped to treat anaphylaxis. All patients exhibited positive skin-prick tests to perennial and seasonal allergens. Diagnoses included allergic rhinitis (857/96%), allergic asthma (505/57%), and chronic rhinosinusitis (384/43%). Five hundred sixty-eight patients were premedicated with prednisone and H1-antihistamine for 3 days. Three hundred twenty-five patients were premedicated for 3 days with prednisone and H1- and H2-blockade. The protocol's final dose ranged from 0.1 to 0.5 mL of a 1:1000 dilution of extracts manufactured by ALK and Greer Laboratories. Patients continued on to higher doses by resuming a conventional schedule. Eighteen patients (2.0%) experienced a mild systemic reaction. All responded to subcutaneous epinephrine and/or nebulized albuterol and were sent home after observation. One patient (0.1%) experienced true anaphylaxis and received appropriate treatment and observation. Our experience with rush IT confirms that maintenance IT can be reached quickly and safely under careful supervision. Caution must be exercised when using this procedure because anaphylaxis does occur. Systemic reactions occur less frequently using a lower targeted final dose than previously described in the literature.

Keywords: Allergen immunotherapy; allergen vaccination; allergic asthma; allergy; asthma; efficacy; rush immunotherapy; rapid desensitization

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2500/aap.2007.28.2996

Affiliations: 1: From the The Allergy and Asthma Center, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Indiana University Fort Wayne Center, Fort Wayne, Indiana, 2: From the The Allergy and Asthma Center, Fort Wayne, Indiana, 3: From the The Allergy and Asthma Center, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Indiana Wesleyan University, Fort Wayne, Indiana, and 4: Hickory Allergy & Asthma Center, Hickory, North Carolina

Publication date: 2007-05-01

More about this publication?

• Allergy and Asthma Proceedings is a peer reviewed publication dedicated to distributing timely scientific research regarding advancements in the knowledge and practice of allergy, asthma and immunology. Its primary readership consists of allergists and pulmonologists.
  
  The goal of the Proceedings is to publish articles with a predominantly clinical focus which directly impact quality of care for patients with allergic disease and asthma.
  
  Featured topics include asthma, rhinitis, sinusitis, food allergies, allergic skin diseases, diagnostic techniques, allergens, and treatment modalities. Published material includes peer-reviewed original research, clinical trials and review articles.
  
  The journal is indexed in Thomson Reuters Web of Science and Science Citation Index Expanded, plus the National Library of Medicine's PubMed service.
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