[Efficacy and safety of cluster immunotherapy for 154 patients with allergic rhinitis].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of cluster immunotherapy with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus for allergic rhinitis.

Methods: One hundred and fifty-four patients with allergic rhinitis to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus were allocated to receive specific immunotherapy in a 6-week cluster schedule during the incremental-dose phase. Thereafter, these patients received maintenance-dose injection at 6-week intervals until the end of 1 year of treatment. Symptom scores and medication scores were used to evaluate the clinical efficacy and adverse reactions were recorded. A rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ) was completed in the baseline and after one year treatment.

Results: Cluster immunotherapy significantly reduced the symptom scores and total medication score of patients enrolled (P < 0.01). The immunotherapy group also had a significant improvement in the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire. During the one-year of treatment, there were 26 systemic adverse reactions (0.75% of all injection) in 9 patients (5.9%) and no fatal systemic reactions occurred.

Conclusions: The cluster immunotherapy is efficacious and safe to treat allergic rhinitis.