[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.