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Abstract
Objectives: This a priori subgroup analysis was conducted to assess patients' experience with
a compliance device for the administration of sublingual specific immunotherapy for
grass pollen-induced rhinoconjunctivitis.
Methods: The present paper reports the results of a subgroup analysis of a multicenter, randomized,
controlled, open-label European study in which adults with grass pollen-induced rhinoconjunctivitis
received once-daily treatment with grass allergen tablets with or without a device
to aid compliance. Treatment was given ~6 to 12 weeks before the grass pollen season,
during the season (~8–10 weeks), and for up to 2 weeks after the end of the season.
In the subgroup analysis, patients from Germany and the Netherlands who had been randomized
to receive the compliance device were asked to complete a brief questionnaire at the
final study visit. The questionnaire included 6 items concerning patients' use of
the device and whether it helped them remember to take their tablets.
Results: Of the 91 patients from Germany and the Netherlands who were randomized to use the
compliance device along with grass allergen tablets, 71 returned the questionnaire.
Among responders, 58 of 71 (82%) reported using the device sometimes or always, 50
of 63 (79%) found the device easy to use, 32 of 69 (46%) found that the device made
it easier to remember to take tablets, and 43 of 71 (61%) indicated that they would
consider using the device again.
Conclusion: Most patients in this subgroup analysis used the compliance device as a medication
reminder and rated it easy to use.
Key words:
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
December 18,
2008
Footnotes
Some of the data in this paper were presented as a poster at the 7th Symposium on Specific Allergy, Copenhagen, Denmark, April 24–26, 2008.
Identification
Copyright
© 2009 Excerpta Medica Inc. All rights reserved. Published by Elsevier Inc.
