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Allergen‐specific immunotherapy in dogs with atopic dermatitis: is owner compliance the main success‐limiting factor?
Author(s) -
RamióLluch Laura,
Brazís Pilar,
Ferrer Luis,
Puigdemont Anna
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
veterinary record
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.261
H-Index - 99
eISSN - 2042-7670
pISSN - 0042-4900
DOI - 10.1136/vr.106024
Subject(s) - medicine , concomitant , atopic dermatitis , patient compliance , immunotherapy , allergy , compliance (psychology) , surgery , dermatology , immunology , emergency medicine , psychology , social psychology , cancer
Background While the efficacy of allergen‐specific immunotherapy (ASIT) to treat canine atopic dermatitis has been well established, it remains unclear why not all dogs show the same response to treatment. The goal of the study was to determine the relationship between duration of ASIT and two measurements of success: disease severity and concomitant medication sparing effect. Methods Data were retrospectively compiled for 145 dogs with atopic dermatitis treated with ASIT. As a measure of treatment compliance, cases were stratified into dogs treated for less than 12 months or for at least 12 months. Treatment efficacy, defined as a reduction in disease severity score (scale 0–10), was compared between both groups, and correlations between treatment success and several related factors were examined. Results ASIT treatment duration was strongly correlated with treatment efficacy. Animals treated for less than 12 months showed lower efficacy rates (22 per cent) than those treated for at least 12 months (65 per cent). Further, in animals treated for at least 12 months, concomitant medications were reduced more (87 per cent) than in animals treated for less than 12 months (39 per cent). Conclusion A lack of owner compliance emerged as the main factor explaining the reduced effectiveness of ASIT. To improve treatment adherence, veterinarians and owners need to be better informed about ASIT mechanisms of action before starting treatment.