Table 3: Benefits of subcutaneous and sublingual immunotherapy among participants with allergic rhinitis
Comparison; authorPopulationAllergenUnadjusted standard mean difference (95% CI*); I2; kAMSTAR score‡Search date
Total combined symptom-medication scoreSymptom scoreMedication scoreDisease-specific quality of lifeTreatment discontinuation†
SLIT v. placebo
Yang et al.,20 2016ARCedar pollen-0.94(-1.75 to -0.14);93%; 4----6April 2016
Di Bona et al.,21 2015ARCGrass pollen--0.28(-0.37 to -0.19);54%; 13-0.24(-0.31 to -0.17);22%; 12-SLIT: 6%,placebo: 2.2%9April 2014
Devillier et al.,24 2014ARCGrass, tree or ragweed pollenHedges g -0.31(-0.39 to -0.22);NR; 11----52013§
Dranitsaris et al.,25 2014 (Oralair)ARGrass pollen----RR 4.88 (2.41 to 9.79); 6 trial arms3December 2012
Dranitsaris et al.,25 2014 (Grazax)ARGrass pollen----RR 1.90 (1.21 to 3.00); 8 trial arms3December 2012
Meadows et al.,29 2013AR ± AAGrass, tree or ragweed pollen, AlternariaParietaria-0.40(-0.55 to -0.25);39%; 6-0.33(-0.42 to -0.25);42%; 42-0.27(-0.37 to -0.17);49%; 35-0.37(-0.52 to -0.22);59%; 7-10April 2011
Radulovic et al.,33 2010ARParietaria, tree or ragweed pollen, house dust mite, cat--0.49(-0.64 to -0.34);81%; 49-0.32(-0.43 to -0.21);50%; 38--10August 2009
SCIT v. placebo
Dranitsaris et al.,25 2014¶ARGrass pollen--0.30(-0.39 to -0.20);7 trial arms--RR 3.16 (1.40 to 7.10); 7 trial arms3December 2012
Meadows et al.,29 2013AR ± AAGrass, tree or ragweed pollen, AlternariaParietaria-0.48(-0.67 to -0.29);22%; 8-0.65(-0.85 to -0.45);57%; 17-0.55(-0.75 to -0.34);57%; 16MD -0.74(-0.92 to -0.56);0%; 8-10April 2011
SCIT v. SLIT
Dranitsaris et al.,25 2014ARGrass pollen--0.21(-0.36 to -0.07);7 trial arms; favours SLIT---3December 2012
Meadows et al.,29 2013AR ± AAGrass, tree or ragweed pollen, AlternariaParietaria-SSD 0.35(0.13 to 0.59), favours SCIT;SCIT: 17 trials, SLIT: 42 trialsSSD 0.27(0.03 to 0.53), favours SCIT;SCIT: 16 trials, SLIT: 35 trialsSSD -0.52(-0.07 to 1.04);SCIT: 8 trials, SLIT: 4 trials-10April 2011

Note: AA = allergic asthma, AR = allergic rhinitis, ARC = allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, MD = mean difference, NR = not reported, k = number of included randomized controlled trials, RC = rhinoconjunctivitis, RR = relative risk, SCIT = subcutaneous immunotherapy, SLIT = sublingual immunotherapy, SSD = standardized score difference.

*95% credible interval for indirect treatment comparisons (SCIT v. SLIT).

†Treatment discontinuation, not discontinuation owing to adverse events.

‡Maximum 11.

§Month not reported.

¶Indirect treatment comparisons.