Abstract
A panel of Italian allergists gathered to discuss the issue concerning the management of polysensitized patients. The main conclusions were as follows: polysensitization is a relevant clinical characteristic as it affects about 70–80% of the global allergic population; the diagnostic pathway needs the use of an adequate and thorough methodology, based on the demonstration of consistency between history and documented sensitization; polysensitization and polyallergy are not synonymous: true allergy should always be demonstrated; polysensitization does not constitute a limitation to allergen immunotherapy prescription, as 1–2 allergen extracts could be effective in polysensitized patients; the allergen immunotherapy product characteristics should include the following: high efficacy and optimal safety profile, standardized production, and documented presence and titration of the major allergen.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
The meeting occurred in Bilbao (Spain) on 24–25 October 2014, and was sponsored by Stallergenes Italy. G Ciprandi and C Incorvaia are scientific consultants of Stallergenes Italy. F Frati is the scientific director of Stallergenes Italy. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.
Polysensitization is a relevant clinical characteristic as it affects about 70–80% of the global allergic population.
Diagnostic pathway needs the use of an adequate and thorough methodology, based on the demonstration of consistency between history and documented sensitization by skin prick test and/or serum allergen-specific IgE measurement. In selected patients, molecular diagnostics should be performed.
Polysensitization and polyallergy are not synonymous: true allergy should always be demonstrated.
Polysensitization does not constitute a limitation to AIT prescription. There is convincing evidence-based medicine literature supporting the concept that 1–2 allergen extracts could be effective in polysensitized patients.
The AIT product characteristics should be: high efficacy and optimal safety profile (validated by evidence-based medicine trials for single allergen), standardized production, and documented presence and titration of major allergen.