The panel “The Future of Allergen Immunotherapy in Romania” attracted significant interest from both international experts and media representatives.
This wide-ranging discussion, organized by the Romanian Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (RSACI) as part of the 2024 National Conference of Allergology and Clinical Immunology, brought together renowned international and local experts. The discussion focused on the importance of allergen immunotherapy for patients with persistent allergic symptoms.
Chairpersons:
Prof. Dr. Ioana Agache (Transylvania University, Brașov), former President of EAACI and Honorary President of SRAIC
Prof. Dr. Carmen Panaitescu (UMF Victor Babeș Timișoara), President of RSACI
Participants:
Prof. Dr. María José Torres (Malaga University, Spain), General Secretary of the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (EAACI)
Prof. Dr. Marek Jutel (Wroclaw University, Poland), former President EAACI
Prof. Dr. Mohamed Shamji (Imperial College London, UK), Vice-president EAACI
Prof. Dr. Walter Canonica (Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Italia), former President EAACI
Prof. Dr. Roxana Bumbăcea (UMF Carol Davila Bucharest), former President RSACI
Lecturer Dr. Corina Ureche (UMFST Târgu Mureș)
The Impact of Allergic Diseases Among Patients in Romania
1 IN 4 ADULTS IN ROMANIA SUFFERS FROM SOME FORM OF ALLERGY, AND 1 IN 3 CHILDREN SUFFERS FROM ALLERGIC RHINITIS. ALLERGEN IMMUNOTHERAPY IS THE ONLY THERAPY THAT MODIFIES THE COURSE OF ALLERGIC DISEASE.
In the midst of the spring allergy season, the Romanian Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (SRAIC) highlights the importance of access to highly effective treatments, as the burden of allergic diseases worldwide has increased in recent decades due to environmental factors and lifestyle, affecting one in three people, predominantly children. Currently, due to their complexity and the number of people affected, allergies are considered a public health challenge of the 21st century. Globally, up to 30% of the world’s population suffers from a respiratory allergy, and between 10–40% of patients with allergic rhinitis also have allergic asthma. Approximately 80% of patients using medication for allergies who feel they have control over their symptoms do not actually control the progression of the disease toward allergic asthma.
For them, as well as for other patients, the use of allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is recommended. This therapy is highly effective—up to 100%—including for patients allergic to bee stings. Administered to both adults and children, it prevents the further development of multiple allergies, the onset of food intolerances, and the emergence of bronchial asthma.
“Allergen immunotherapy has been used for over 100 years, during which it has been continuously developed and refined, and is now used worldwide as a standard treatment for allergic patients. It is a disease-specific therapeutic method for allergic conditions, in which patients receive standardized allergen extracts, either subcutaneously or orally, over a period of at least three years, with the goal of inducing tolerance and restoring a normal immune response. The efficacy and safety of allergen immunotherapy have been demonstrated in a series of clinical studies, and technological advances have shown that it is the only therapy that modifies the course of allergic disease by redirecting the immune response of allergic patients toward tolerance of the sensitizing allergen. In addition, this therapy reduces the risk of severe, life-threatening allergic reactions.”
Patients are the ones who count, and they have been at the centre of the discussions
The primary beneficiaries of this therapy are:
Patients with respiratory allergic conditions (to ragweed, grasses, trees, and house dust mites), for whom symptom control will be achieved, disease progression halted, the need for symptomatic medication reduced, and the prevention of new sensitizations ensured.
Patients allergic to bee or wasp venom, for whom the risk of death from anaphylactic shock, as well as the risk of recurrent and bothersome systemic allergic reactions, is reduced, making this the only life-saving therapy.
“Allergen immunotherapy not only treats patients but can also save their lives. This therapy works with up to 100% efficacy in many European countries, while in others, patients still do not have widespread access to AIT.”
It is not only the patient who suffers from allergies, but their entire family as well.
“We are talking about 1 in 4 people, but in reality, we are talking about entire families who need treatment. It is very important that authorities facilitate their access to this therapy!”
Prof. Dr. Maria Torres, Elected President of EAACI
“I have been an allergic patient for 5 years. Practically, during the summer months, it was impossible for me to practice my profession—I couldn’t sing. It was unbearable, with my entire respiratory system congested, my eyes constantly watering, and being on antihistamine treatment all the time.” George Proca, allergic patient, soloist at the Timișoara Opera
Allergen immunotherapy is a model of precision and personalized medicine because it is tailored to the specific sensitization profile of each patient. It is a disease-specific therapeutic method for allergic conditions, in which patients receive standardized allergen extracts, either subcutaneously or orally, over a period of at least three years, with the goal of inducing tolerance and restoring a normal immune response.
In daily practice, the effectiveness of treating allergic respiratory conditions can be improved for both doctors and patients by considering the disease-modifying effect of allergen immunotherapy and its availability for patients in Romania.
The topic attracted media interest and was covered by various outlets, contributing to increased public awareness.
SRAIC will continue to engage in efforts to improve Romanian patients’ access to innovative treatments and to promote the importance of diagnosing and managing allergic conditions, with the goal of improving the lives of patients living with allergies.
To view the full media and online coverage, please access the links below.
TV & Radio
Online
https://www.radiocluj.ro/2024/04/08/unul-din-patru-adulti-din-romania-sufera-de-alergie/
https://www.doctorulzilei.ro/alarmant-1-din-4-adulti-din-romania-sufera-de-o-forma-de-alergie/
https://ziarmm.ro/1-din-4-adulti-din-romania-sufera-de-o-forma-de-alergie-ce-e-de-facut/
https://www.bizbrasov.ro/2024/04/10/alergie-1-din-4-romani-diagnosticati/
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