Allergy Immunotherapy: Reduced health care costs in patients with allergic rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis affects 1 in 5 people in the US and is associated with high economic burden. Allergic rhinitis (AR) can lead to decreased energy, poor concentration, disturbed sleep, and decrements in performance at school and work. 

In 2011, US costs of AR were $14 billion, with 60% towards prescription medications. Additional dollars were spent to treat conditions for which AR is a predisposing factor such as asthma, sinusitis.

Subcutaneous immunotherapy just commemorated its centennial anniversary. It is indicated to treat AR in patients with symptoms not adequately controlled by medications, avoidance measures, or those experiencing adverse effects of medications, or who wish to reduce long term use of medication.

Patients with newly diagnosed AR initiating immunotherapy incur significantly lower health care costs than matched control subjects beginning 3 months after immunotherapy initiations and continuing throughout the 18-month follow-up period.

Author

Saraleen Benouni, MD Dr. Benouni specializes in the treatment of asthma, allergies, atopic dermatitis, and immune disorders for both adults and children. She has presented and published research at national allergy meetings and has authored papers on drug allergies and skin conditions. She is a member of the American College and American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, and the Los Angeles Society of Allergy, Asthma, and Clinical Immunology.