OBJECTIVE : To analyze the clinical characteristics of pediatric and adult patients receiving allergen immunotherapy (IT).

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING : A multicenter study in South Korea has been conducted with 172 patients diagnosed with allergic rhinitis and undergoing IT, consisting of 87 children (mean age: 9.9 years) and 85 adults (mean age: 31.6 years). Clinical characteristics were obtained from face-to-face interviews and questionnaires.

RESULTS: There are 61 (70.1%) children and 68 (80.0%) adults of subcutaneous IT, and 26 (29.9%) children and 17 (20.0%) adults of sublingual IT (P = 0.134). IT using mixed poly-allergens is more common in adults (30.2% vs 65.9%, P<0.001). The family history of allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis is more common in children (74.7% vs 47.1%, P<0.001 and 29.9% vs 12.9%, P=0.007). The comorbidity of atopic dermatitis is more prevalent in children (20.7% vs 9.4%, P=0.039). The VAS score and TNSS 6 score are higher in children (mean (SD), 5.5 (2.44) vs 4.6 (2.87), P = 0.021, and 7.4 (3.70) vs 6.1 (3.94), P=0.024). The medication scores of antihistamine and nasal corticosteroid are higher in adults (mean (SD), 1.5 (1.78) vs 2.6 (1.71), P<0.001, and 1.1 (1.56) vs 2.2 (1.75), P<0.001). The concentrations of specific IgE (sIgE) of D. farinae are higher in adults (mean (SD), 7.0 (4.09) vs 9.5 (5.71), P=0.01).

CONCLUSIONS: This study showed the differences in the severity of allergic rhinitis, drug use, comorbidity, and the concentration of sIgE of D. farinae and pattern of IT prescription between adults and children as subjects of IT.