Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of Sublingual Immunotherapy (Traditional Coca’s extract) in Allergic Rhinoconjunctivitis

Document Type : New and original researches in the field of Microbiology.

Author

Assistant professor of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University

Abstract

Background: Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis is a common allergic disorder that significantly affects the patient’s Quality of life (QoL). In countries with low socioeconomic levels, traditional Coca’s extracts is an economical choice for Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT).Objectives:This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and effect on medication score of homemade Coca’s extracts SLIT in improving the QoL of patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. Methodology: 120 allergic rhinoconjunctivitis patients were randomly classified into two similar groups of 60 patients each. Group I received pharmacological therapy regularly, while group II received SLIT and pharmacological treatment. Both groups were followed up for one year. Results: During the period of study, onepatient dropped out from group I, while, 9 (15%) patients dropped out from group II. Initially, there were no statistically significant differences in the scores of mini rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (miniRQLQ) or medication scores between the two groups. After one year, both groups showed statistically highly significant improvement in QoL (p < 0.001); however, improvement in group 2 was statistically significantly higher than group I (p < 0.001). Medication score of group I showed a mild non-significant decrease from 2.97±0.18 to 2.70±0.723, while, Group II medication score significantly decrease from 3.00±0.000 to 0.38±0.495. There were no severe adverse effects in any of the two groups. No statistical difference was found in the incidence of mild adverse reaction between both groups.  Conclusion: Home made Coca’s extracts used in SLIT are a safe treatment that improve both qualities of life and medication score in patients suffering from severe allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. 

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