[Economic consequences in real life of allergen immunotherapy in asthma, rhinitis and dermatitis].

BACKGROUND

Allergen immunotherapy has proved effective in the treatment of various allergies, but whether the clinical benefits outweigh the economic costs has been little evaluated.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the economic consequences of immunotherapy in asthma, rhinitis and dermatitis.

METHODS

Descriptive study. Patients with at least 18 months' follow-up were selected, whose medical history allowed evaluation of drugs received, manner of use, check-ups, treatment changes, reasons for these, and so on. Patients were classified according to whether they received drug treatment + immunotherapy (active group) or drug therapy alone (control group).

RESULTS

1848 patients were included: 648 in the active group and 1200 in the control. Immunotherapy increased the cost of treatment during the first few months, but after 9 to 12 months drug treatment decreased significantly compared to the control group. In patients with asthma or various diseases, immunotherapy reduced costs of treatment (p < 0.05). The active group saw fewer relapses at 18 months (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Allergen immunotherapy allows the sustained reduction in drug treatment, with medium-term financial savings for the patient and the health system.