The Efficacy of Dual Allergen Sublingual Immunotherapy in Subjects with Dermatophagoides farinae and Timothy Grass Allergy as Assessed by the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Score

RATIONALE: We sought to evaluate the efficacy of dual allergen sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in subjects with Dermatophagoides farinae (DF) and Timothy Grass (TG) allergy using the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life (QOL) questionnaire. METHODS: This is a double-blind, placebo-controlled study in subjects with DF and TG allergy. Subjects were block randomized 2:1 (active drug:placebo). At the preliminary dosing visit, subjects received escalating doses of SLIT to a maximum dose. This dose was self-administered daily for 12 months. Subjects returned for follow up every 3-6 months. QOL questionnaires were administered at the preliminary visit and each follow up visit. RESULTS: Thirty subjects, age 5-57 years, were enrolled. Our preliminary data evaluates 21 subjects who have had at least 2 follow up visits. 18/21 (86%) subjects demonstrated improvement in mean QOL scores from baseline. 7/21 (33%) subjects had 50% or greater improvement in QOL scores from baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary data on subjects who received SLIT or placebo reveals that the majority showed improvement in QOL scores from baseline to first follow up visit. Given our 2:1 block randomization, a large number are likely those who received SLIT. We will further stratify our results once subjects are divided into treatment and placebo groups. To date, our data demonstrates that dual allergen SLIT is efficacious in the treatment of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.