The Survey in Clinical Practice of Sublingual Immunotherapy in Patients with Japanese Cedar Pollinosis using Self-written Questionnaire from First Season to Fourth Season

Abstract

Four seasons have passed since sublingual immunotherapy was released in 2014 for patients with Japanese cedar pollinosis. However, it is often unclear how its treatment should be performed in clinical practice. We reported results of similar survey we conducted in 2016 and 2017. This time, we again investigated, after the end of pollen scattering period in 2018, the clinical usage level, subjective treatment effects, adverse effects, satisfaction level and sense of burden in treatment by using self-written questionnaire for 431 patients who began treatment from 2014 to 2017. The age distribution shows bimodal distribution in the 10s and 40s. The portion of patients who were aware of treatment effects tends to be higher after the second season than the first season, therefore it is suggested that it is preferable to continue for at least two seasons. The portion of patients who complained adverse reactions in the first season was 23.4% and it decreased to 5.6%, 5.0%, 1.2% in the second, third or fourth season respectively. If it can be continued for one season, it is unlikely that it will be a problem for the continuation of treatment after the second season. Some patients do not want to continue the treatment in the fourth season, and when to end treatment is needed to consider in the future.