Allergen-specific Immunotherapy (AIT) is a well-documented etiological therapy for IgE-mediated rhinitis and asthma and it is the only treatment strategy able to alter the natural history of the diseases. This review aims at focusing some real-life aspects of AIT. In spite of the high level of evidence for efficacy and safety reached by AIT and the continuously improving quality of allergenic extracts, it is estimated that, with regional variations, less than 5% of European children with AR are treated with AIT.
The number of AIT prescriptions is decreasing in these last years in all Europe. The adherence to the treatment is quite low today either for SCIT or for SLIT. The results of clinical trials shouldn't be referred to AIT in general but rather to the specific product utilized. There is the need for a closer cooperation among allergists with other specialties in order to optimize the assessment of allergic patients and of AIT.
FULL TEXT