The effect of allergen immunotherapy on quality of life in children with asthma and allergic rhinitis

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease with reversible airway obstruction characterized by increased airway sensitivity to various stimuli in which many cells and cellular elements play a role. Allergic rhinitis is a chronic disease that manifests itself with symptoms such as runny nose, congestion, sneezing and itching in the eyes and throat. Allergen immunotherapy is the only treatment method that can cure allergic diseases. Studies have shown that immunotherapy provides a significant improvement in asthma and allergic rhinitis symptoms, decreases the need for drugs, prevents development of asthma in patients with rhinitis and reduces new sensitizations. A total of 132 children, 64 patient group and 68 control group, aged between 5-18 who were followed up in the Pediatric Allergy Outpatient Clinic of Uludağ University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Allergy were included in our study. The quality of life of patients with asthma and allergic rhinitis followed up in Pediatric Allergy Polyclinic and receiving allergen immunotherapy treatment was examined, and we aimed to reveal the factors that may be effective in the control of allergic diseases. With the results to be obtained from this study; we aim to identify and implement the factors that increase the quality of life and control allergic diseases and to ensure active participation of these patients in all areas of life. This is a large study that evluates cases with asthma and allergic rhinitis with socio-demographic data, clinical examination results, asthma control and general quality of life questionnaires. The results of KINDL and PedsQL questionnaires, which are the quality of life scales used in our study, are evaluated; quality of life of patients with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis receiving immunotherapy; It was found to be statistically better than the patients who received pharmacotherapy who did not receive immunotherapy treatment. Consequently, our study is a unique study that evaluated the effect of immunotherapy on the quality of life in asthma and allergic rhinitis patients who received or did not receive immunotherapy.