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TOPICS
Overview
Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergilllosis (ABPA)
Anaphylaxis - Updated
Asthma
Asthma Diagnosis
Environmental diagnosis
and management
Asthma Treatment:
Immunotherapy
Asthma Treatment:
Preventing Morbidity
- Updated
Asthma Treatment:
Preventing Mortality

- Updated
Asthma Treatment:
Adherence
Occupational Asthma
Conjunctivitis
Cough
Dermatitis
Atopic - Updated
Contact
Drug Allergy - Updated
Food Allergy - Updated
Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis
Insect Hypersensitivity
Occupational Diseases
Primary Immune Deficiency - Updated
Rhinitis/Rhinosinusitis
Rhinitis - Updated
Sinusitis
Urticaria/Angioedema - Updated
How the Allergist/Immunologist Can Help:
Consultation and Referral Guidelines Citing the Evidence

Disease Group: Asthma Treatment: Immunotherapy
  1. Consider referral for allergen immunotherapy for asthmatic patients if there is a clear relationship between asthma and exposure to an unavoidable aeroallergen to which specific IgE antibodies have been demonstrated and:

    • Poor response to pharmacotherapy or avoidance measures
    • Unacceptable side effects of medications
    • Desire to avoid long term pharmacotherapy
    • Coexisiting allergic rhinitis
    • Long duration of symptoms (perennial or major portion of the year)
    [Rationale]
  2. Referral for allergy evaluation in children and adults with allergic rhinitis because immunotherapy may potentially prevent the development of asthma
    [Rationale]





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The efficacy of allergen immunotherapy in the treatment of allergic asthma has been demonstrated in many double-blind placebo controlled studies to multiple allergens: e.g. pollen, animal allergen, fungi, dust mite. 1-4

Referral to an asthma specialist is recommended if immunotherapy is considered.11
Indirect outcome evidence (immunotherapy)
Allergen immunotherapy has been shown to reduce development of asthma in children with allergic rhinitis compared with group of children treated with medication alone5. Benefits have also been seen in adults. 6,7 Immunotherapy may also prevent the development of new allergen sensitivities. 8-10

Referral to an asthma specialist is recommended if immunotherapy is considered.11
Indirect outcome evidence (immunotherapy)