Effect of AIT in children including potential to prevent the development of asthma.

Allergy specific immunotherapy may alter the natural course of allergic disease. Thus, it is of significant importance, particularly in paediatric populations. Four studies using the grass allergy immunotherapy tablet (AIT) for allergic rhinoconjunctivitis in children showed good clinical outcomes and good safety profiles.

Survey on the impact of comorbid allergic rhinitis in patients with asthma.

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma are inflammatory conditions of the airways that often occur concomitantly. This global survey was undertaken to understand patient perspectives regarding symptoms, treatments, and the impact on their well-being of comorbid AR and asthma.

Methods: Survey participants were adults with asthma (n = 813) and parents of children with asthma (n = 806) from four countries each in the Asia-Pacific region and Europe.

Clinical efficacy and safety of sublingual immunotherapy with tree pollen extract in children.

Background: Subcutaneous immunotherapy has been the principal approach of immunotherapy in the treatment of allergic diseases. Several clinical studies with birch, alder or hazel pollen extract conducted as subcutaneous immunotherapy have been published suggesting a well-tolerated and clinically effective treatment. Only a few clinical studies of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) with these allergens have been published.

Inpatient resource utilisation in younger (2-5 yrs) and older (6-14 yrs) asthmatic children in Finland.

Asthma is the most common chronic disorder among Finnish children, however, the economic burden of paediatric asthma in Finland has not yet been comprehensively evaluated. The objective of this study was to compare inpatient resource utilisation between younger (2-5 yrs) and older children (6-14 yrs) with asthma in Finland. A national database of inpatient resource utilisation was applied to determine use of hospital services among children with asthma in 1999.