Persistence of treatment with 5-grass pollen tablets in patients with allergic rhinitis: a real-life study

Background: In patients with allergic rhinitis, treatment adherence to allergen immunotherapy varies greatly in randomized and real-life studies. Objective: To evaluate the use of a 5-grass pollen tablet as sublingual immunotherapy, its treatment persistence, and the reasons for discontinuation in a real-life clinical setting. Methods: This multicenter, prospective, open-label, noncontrolled observational study evaluated the use of sublingual immunotherapy with a 5-grass pollen tablet in a cross-sectional population of patients (>= 5 years old) with grass pollen-induced allergic rhinitis with or without asthma. The primary objective was to determine the percentage of patients persisting with treatment across 1 season in a preeco-seasonal scheme. Secondary objectives included evaluation of reasons for treatment discontinuation, safety and adverse events; effectiveness (based on physician and patient assessments), and treatment compliance. Results: The study included 196 patients (49.2% male, mean age 27.5 years, range 5.3-65.7 years), with treatment provided by 47 participating physicians. Sixty-seven percent of patients had polysensitivity and 32% had coexistent asthma. On average, patients were treated for 7 months with the 5-grass pollen tablet. After 1 month, 85% of all patients persisted with treatment, and 70% persisted after 7 months. Treatment discontinuation was due chiefly to known side effects (mild to moderate local allergic reactions). Most patients reported symptom improvement; 80% of all patients intended to continue treatment next season. Conclusion: Most patients with allergic rhinitis treated preeco-seasonally with a 5-grass pollen tablet persisted with treatment after the first pollen season. Patients were willing to continue their treatment in the following season owing to improvement of symptoms. (C) 2016 American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.