A DOUBLE-BLIND, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED TRIAL BY THE SUBLINGUAL ROUTE OF IMMUNOTHERAPY WITH A STANDARDIZED GRASS-POLLEN EXTRACT

Fifty-eight patients with well-documented history of seasonal rhinocon junctivitis caused by grass pollens were allocated randomly on a doubl e-blind basis to receive either sublingual therapy with a solution of purified, standardized allergen preparation (Stallergenes) or a matche d placebo for 17 weeks. The assessment of the effect of oral immunothe rapy, done with drops of five-grass allergen extract, was on the clini cal symptoms and on the medication score of the authorized rescue trea tments. The actively treated patients had significantly (P < 0.05 to P < 0.01) fewer symptoms of rhinitis (sneezing and rhinorrhea) and of c onjunctivitis (redness and tears) during the pollen season than the pl acebo group. Consumption of nasal solution of sodium cromoglycate and of betamethasone and dexchlorpheniramine was significantly less in the desensitized group (P < 0.01). Side-effects were negligible. This stu dy concludes that perlingual immunotherapy with grass pollen extract i n grass-pollen-sensitive seasonal hay fever and conjunctivitis patient s is effective, easy to perform, inexpensive, and safe.