Comparison of AIT effectiveness and quality of life between
groups
Before the pandemic, the median TSS-6, VAS-symptom, MS and VAS-QoL
scores were similar in all groups (p>0.05 for each
comparison). During the pandemic, the median TSS-6 and VAS-symptom
scores were the highest in Group 3 compared to other groups
(p<0.001 for each comparison) and these values were similar
between Group 1 and Group 2 (p>0.05, p>0.05,
respectively). The median MSs were similar in all groups during the
pandemic (p>0.05). Median VAS-QoL scores were the lowest in
Group 3 compared to others (p<0.001 for each comparison) and
were lower in Group 2 than Group 1 (p=0.043) (Figure 1).
When the adherent and the non-adherent patients were compared, the
median TSS-6, VAS-symptom, MS and VAS-QoL scores were similar before the
pandemic (p>0.05 for each comparison). During the pandemic,
the median TSS-6 and VAS-symptom scores were higher and the median
VAS-QoL score was lower in the non-adherent patients than the adherent
patients (p<0.001 for each comparison). However, the median MS
was similar in both groups during the pandemic (p>0.05)
(Figure 2).
Since the study period corresponds to the pollination period of common
pollen allergens in our geographic region, the patients who received and
those who did not receive pollen immunotherapy were compared in terms of
short-term clinical outcomes of AIT. Changes in MS, VAS-symptom, VAS-QoL
and TSS-6 scores between the pandemic and the pre-pandemic periods were
similar among these patients (p>0.05 for each comparison).