Treatment benefit of the 5-grass tablet in children: Assessment from the patient's point of view

Introduction: SLIT with the 5-grass pollen tablet (5-G) has shown its efficacy in the treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR) in children in a randomized controlled trial. A validated instrument for the assessment of patient-relevant benefit in the treatment of AR has been developed: the Patient Benefit Index (PBI-AR). In this sub analysis we investigated the benefit of 5-G in children aged 5-12 years as indicated in Germany. Methods: In an open, prospective, multicenter, non-interventional study conducted in 145 German study centers, children were observed during their 1st treatment period with the 5-G using the PBI-AR. The PBIAR was computed based on the assessment of treatment needs and benefits (0=no benefit to 4=maximum benefit). A PBI-AR global score = 1 is defined as relevant benefit. Results: 246 children were included in this analysis, for 163 of whom a PBI-AR global score could be computed. Children achieved a mean PBI of 2.61±0.99. Of the 4 PBI-AR dimensions the first showed the highest benefit for the children (2.82±1.14). In total, 94.6% of the patients achieved relevant benefit from treatment with the 5-G (PBI=1). The PBI-AR global score was significantly associated with the physicians' assessment of improvement. The children's impairment by AR symptoms decreased during the treatment. The PBI-AR global score significantly correlated with a change in the impairment by AR symptoms (r=-0.438, p<0.001). Having no side effects was one treatment goal in 20.6% of patients. Conclusion: In the first year of treatment, the 5-grass pollen tablet already attained children patient-relevant benefit.