Guidelines for the prescription of allergen immunotherapy and patient follow-up - Methods and recommendations list

Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) for respiratory allergens is currently the only curative treatment for allergies; it also has a preventive effect towards the appearance of new sensitizations, and the evolution of allergic rhinitis to asthma and it makes it possible to reduce the therapeutic burden not only in patients suffering from allergic rhinitis, but also in asthmatics. The French National Professional Council of Allergy and the French Society of Allergy asked to the National NPP (Named-Patient Products) group (groupe APSI) to write the French national Clinical Practice Guidelines for the prescription of AIT and for patients' monitoring, with a clear focus on NPP. Based on published meta-analysis and main studies in this field, a list of recommendations was drawn up by a group of more than 50 French allergists and based on 50 clinical questions that meet specific needs of AIT prescribers. We have drawn up 135 recommendations, which focus on the main aspects of the initiation of this treatment and on the follow-up of the patient, in different clinical situations, also including the possibility and the indications of such a treatment during pandemic, such as the one related to SARS-CoV-2 infection. (C) 2020 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Allergen immunotherapy is currently the only curative treatment for allergies, with preventive effects on new sensitizations and the progression of allergic rhinitis to asthma. The clinical practice guidelines in France provide specific recommendations for the prescription and monitoring of AIT, with a focus on NPP.