Allergic Rhinitis Patient Factors Associated with Allergen Immunotherapy Treatment Persistence

RationaleFewer than half of patients persist on allergen immunotherapy (AIT) for the recommended 3-5 year treatment regimen. This analysis aimed to identify historical patient factors associated with early phase treatment persistence.MethodsA retrospective claims data analysis of commercial health plan enrollees from 2009-2013 identified patients initiating AIT. Adult and pediatric allergic rhinitis (AR) patients with >7 injection visits for inhalant AIT within the 2 months post-initiation were “continuers”; those with ≤7 injection visits were “early discontinuers.” Demographic and clinical characteristics in the year before AIT initiation were compared between cohorts.ResultsOf 29,810 patients, 22,394 (75%) were continuers. The continuer cohort (CC) was significantly younger than the early-discontinuer (ED) cohort (33.8 vs. 36.5 years, p7 injection visits for inhalant AIT within the 2 months post-initiation were “continuers”; those with ≤7 injection visits were “early discontinuers.” Demographic and clinical characteristics in the year before AIT initiation were compared between cohorts. A retrospective claims data analysis of commercial health plan enrollees from 2009-2013 identified patients initiating AIT. Adult and pediatric allergic rhinitis (AR) patients with >7 injection visits for inhalant AIT within the 2 months post-initiation were “continuers”; those with ≤7 injection visits were “early discontinuers.” Demographic and clinical characteristics in the year before AIT initiation were compared between cohorts. ResultsOf 29,810 patients, 22,394 (75%) were continuers. The continuer cohort (CC) was significantly younger than the early-discontinuer (ED) cohort (33.8 vs. 36.5 years, p