COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF PRICK TEST PRE AND POST SUBLINGUAL IMMUNOTHERAPY FOR ALLERGIC RHINITIS

Introduction: Allergic rhinitis is an immune-mediated reaction, the diagnosis of which can be complemented with the immediate hypersensitivity skin test using the prick test. Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) is indicated for specific cases and is the only disease-modifying treatment. So far, there is not a biomarker to objectively monitor its evolution. Objectives: To compare the degree of pre- and post-sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) skin sensitization in patients with allergic rhinitis, in order to validate the prick test as an objective measure of response to treatment. Material and methods: Observational, analytical and retrospective study, which compared, for each allergen, the skin reactions of the prick test before and after starting sublingual immunotherapy. Results: 71 patients were included. There was a reduction in skin sensitization in patients undergoing SLIT to grasses (p0.05). A positive correlation was found between the interval of skin tests and the reduction of skin sensitization to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. Discussion: The prick test can be considered an objective marker of response to treatment only for patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. The present study suggests that the longer the SLIT, the greater the reduction in skin sensitization, evidencing the importance of completing the treatment for a better outcome. Conclusion: Studies are still needed to determine an objective marker of treatment response that reliably correlates with the patient’s clinical response.