Sustained impact of subcutaneous immunotherapy among patients with
allergic rhinitis who experienced treatment delay due to the COVID-19
pandemic: A multicenter, two-arm, real-world study
Abstract
Background: The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of
COVID-19 related treatment delay on subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT)
efficacy in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR). Methods: The study was
performed in 643 patients with SCIT appointments between February 1 and
May 31, 2020. The clinical assessment, performed at baseline (V0) and
one year later (V1), included visual analogue scale (VAS); daily symptom
score (dSS); daily medication score (dMS); combined symptom and
medication scores (CSMS); quality of life (QoL); self-rating anxiety
scale (SAS); and self-rating depression scale (SDS) for each patient.
Results: At V0, 249 patients were treated on schedule, and 394 were
delayed (7 ± 4.68 weeks). Among them, 319 patients (105 on schedule, and
214 delayed) also completed the assessments at V1, with the absence of
25.39% patients due to completion of SCIT, and 25.35% patients were
withdrawal. The results of all assessments were within the normal range
for all patients at V0 and V1, with the exception of a slightly higher
SDS score (56.13) at V0. In the SCIT delayed group. there was a
significant positive correlation between the length (weeks) of the delay
and SDS score, and this was significantly higher in patients with poor
control of nasal symptoms. Conclusions: This study showed the long-term
efficacy of SCIT for AR patients, including those who have had to delay
normal therapy due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The psychological status of
SCIT patients in response to lockdown of hospital services during this
critical period should be considered.