Massaro I, et al. – Experts performed a survey on the perception of allergy specialists about the reimbursed grass pollen tablets for seasonal allergic rhinitis in Italy. They reported very positive opinions of the Italian allergy specialists about the reimbursed 5–grass–pollen tablets. Hence, it appeared as an appropriate prescription of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) for grass–pollen induced rhinitis in the next years.

Methods

• They used a multiple choice questionnaire composed by six questions to assess the specialists opinion.
• They uploaded the questionnaire on the free access online platform SurveyMonkey.
• All members of the Società Italiana di Asma, Allergologia e Immunologia Clinica (SIAAIC) received the link to access the platform.
• In addition, the access to the questionnaire was anonymous.
• The access was closed and data were downloaded directly from SurveyMonkey website, at survey ending.

Results

• 70 allergists filled the questionnaire.
• As per observations, the majority of allergists felt as most important the concept of SLIT as a drug, the content of allergen extract mirroring the natural exposure, the pre-coseasonal schedule as the most patient’s oriented, the very good profile of tolerability and safety, the importance of the build-up phase, and the importance of checking the patient after starting immunotherapy.