Non-interventional observational study, following the first year of SLIT-Tablet treatment with GRAZAX® or ITULAZAX® to assess persistence and adherence among patients in Norwegian primary care
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Sublingual allergen immunotherapy (SLIT) is an effective disease-modifying treatment for moderate to severe allergic rhinitis, but long-term benefit depends on patients completing the recommended three-year treatment course. Real-world evidence on treatment persistence in primary care remains limited. In this prospective, non-interventional, observational study conducted in 17 Norwegian general practices included 204 patients between 6 to 65 years of age. We evaluated one-year persistence, adherence, symptom control, medication use, patient satisfaction and safety among patients treated with the grass and birch pollen SLIT-tablets Grazax and Itulazax. Overall, 78% of patients remained on treatment after one year, exceeding the predefined persistence target of 70%, while self-reported daily adherence remained above 90% throughout the follow-up. Patients reported clinically meaningful improvements in nasal, ocular, bronchial and general allergy symptoms, accompanied by reduced use of symptomatic medication and high treatment satisfaction. Adverse events were common but were predominantly mild or moderate, with no serious treatment-related safety concerns. These findings indicate that SLIT-tablet treatment can be effectively initiated and monitored in routine general practice. Persistence was comparable to that reported from specialist settings, supporting an expanding role for primary care in delivering disease-modifying treatment for allergic rhinitis. Structured follow-up within general practice may contribute to sustained treatment persistence and improve the real-world effectiveness of allergen immunotherapy.
Source: Research Square
Institutions: ALK-Abelló (Denmark), University of Bergen
Language: English
Subfield: Immunology and Allergy
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7212445271