ABSTRACT:
Background: The success of subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT)
mostly depends on regular injections. Our aim was to investigate
adherence to SCIT with aeroallergens during the COVID-19 pandemic and
demonstrate clinical consequences of treatment disruptions in real-life.
Methods : Visual analogue scale for quality of life (VAS-QoL),
VAS for symptom scores (VAS-symptom), medication scores (MSs) and total
symptom scores (TSS-6) were recorded during the pandemic in 327 adult
allergic rhinitis and/or asthmatic patients receiving maintenance SCIT
and these scores were compared with the pre-pandemic data. Patients were
grouped according to SCIT administration intervals; no delay (Group 1),
<2 months (Group 2), and ≥2 month intervals (Group 3).
Results : 104 (31.8%) patients (Group 3) were considered as
non-adherent which was mostly related to receiving SCIT with HDMs and
using public transportation for reaching the hospital. Median MS,
VAS-symptom and TSS-6 scores of Group 3 patients during the pandemic
were higher than the pre-pandemic scores (p=0.005, p<0.001,
p<0.001, respectively) whereas median VAS-QoL scores of Group
3 during the pandemic were lower than the pre-pandemic scores
(p<0.001). Median TSS-6 and VAS-symptom scores were the
highest in Group 3 compared to other groups (p<0.001 for each
comparison). Median VAS-QoL scores were the lowest in Group 3 compared
to Group 1 and Group 2 (p<0.001, p=0.043, respectively).
Conclusion: When precautions in allergy clinics are carefully
applied, adherence to SCIT can be high during a pandemic. Patients must
be warned about adhering to SCIT injections since delays in SCIT
administration can deteriorate clinical symptoms.