The clinical practice of allergen immunotherapy in Mexico according to 277 allergists who were surveyed during a three-year AIT course

Abstract

Background: There are different guidelines for the diagnosis of allergic diseases and the application of allergen immunotherapy (AIT). Objective: To describe how Mexican allergists diagnose and treat respiratory and food allergies with AIT. Methods: 227 allergists who attended an immunotherapy symposium were surveyed; the topics investigated were the daily practices in the diagnosis of respiratory and food allergies, as well as ways to apply AIT. Results: The surveyed allergists use skin prick tests for the diagnosis of both respiratory and food allergies in 100 % and 87.7 % of their cases respectively; in vitro diagnosis through serum specific IgE in 55.5 % and 63 %, and molecular diagnostics in 14.1% and 13.2 %. For aeroallergens, 81 % prescribe subcutaneous AIT, 77.9 % use liquid sublingual AIT, and 1.8 % prefer SLIT in tablets; however, 45 % indicated that they would use tablets in the future. Regarding food allergens, most respondents did not prescribe AIT; however, 55% of them are interested in oral AIT and 59% of them are interested in sublingual AIT. Conclusions: Generally, the diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases are carried out according to international guidelines; besides, the interviewed allergists expressed flexibility to adopt new schemes.