Table 2: Benefits of subcutaneous and sublingual immunotherapy among participants with allergic asthma
AuthorPopulationIncluded allergensComparisonUnadjusted standard mean difference (95% CI); I2; kAMSTAR score*Search date
Symptom scoreMedication score
Liao et al.,16 2015Children with AAHouse dust miteSLIT v. placebo-1.02(-2.07 to -0.33);92%; 8-0.52(-1.75 to 0.71);85%; 37February 2014
Normansell et al.,17 2015AA ± ARHouse dust mite, grass, pollen, birch pollen, cockroach, cat, AlternariaParietariaArtemisia, olive pollenSLIT v. placebo--11March 2015
Lu et al.,18 2015AAHouse dust miteSCIT v. placebo-0.94(-1.58 to -0.29);92%; 13-7February 2013
Tao et al.,19 2014AA ± AR and/or conjunctivitisHouse dust mite, grass, birch pollenSLIT v. placebo-0.74(-1.26 to -0.22);91%; NR-0.78(-1.45 to -0.11);93%; NR6March 2012
Abramson et al.,1 2010AAHouse dust mite, pollen, dander, mould, latexSCIT v. placebo-0.59(-0.83 to -0.35);73%; 34-7August 2005

Note: AA = allergic asthma, AR = allergic rhinitis, AMSTAR = Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews, k = number of included studies, NR = not reported, SCIT = subcutaneous immunotherapy, SLIT = sublingual immunotherapy.

*Maximum 11.