Local Nasal Immunotherapy Is an Effective and Safe Alternative Treatment for Allergic Rhinitis
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Local nasal immunotherapy (LNIT) safely improves clinical symptoms, reduces medication use, and increases the nasal provocation threshold for patients with allergic rhinitis, according to results of a systematic review and meta-analysis. Allergic rhinitis is one of the world's most common health problems, the authors write. Its prevalence is trending upward — it is between 17% and 28.5% in Europe and between 6.9% and 36% in Asia. Although there are various treatments, allergen immunotherapy — repeatedly administering an allergen to modulate the immune response and induce immune tolerance — may offer lasting remission of allergy symptoms and help prevent future asthma and new allergies, according to the American Academy of Allery, Astham and Immunology.
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@kuheli Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria. The studies involved a total of 698 participants; ages ranged from 4 to 67 years (the average age was slightly over 30), and slightly over half were male. Allergic rhinitis was diagnosed on the basis of clinical symptoms, skin prick tests, serum-specific IgE, or nasal provocation tests. Allergies included mite and pollen allergies.