ABSTRACT
AIM: Evaluation of the side-effects of conventional subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy in inhalant allergy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of early and late, local and systemic, short-term and long-term side-effects of 4723 injections given to 224 patients suffering from intermittent or persistent allergic rhinitis. RESULTS: There were 65 systemic reactions in 48 patients (21%) after 61 injections (1.29%). Most of them were late, and included dyspnoea, rhinorrhoea, fever, fatigue and urticaria. Incidence of systemic reactions did not correlate to age or sex, but was higher in grass pollen than in house dust mite allergy and during the up-dosing phase of treatment. Late intense local reactions were observed after 1.6% of injections. CONCLUSIONS: Allergen immunotherapy in inhalant allergy is a safe method of treatment.
