Adherence to Subcutaneous Immunotherapy (SCIT) During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Impact of Anxiety and Depression

Objective

Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is a cornerstone treatment for IgE-mediated allergic diseases and adherence to subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) is essential for achieving optimal therapeutic outcomes. We aimed to evaluate SCIT adherence, identify the primary causes of treatment interruption, and investigate the relationship between anxiety/depression and SCIT adherence during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: This retrospective observational study included 191 patients underwent SCIT at a university allergy and immunology clinic between February 2021 and January 2022. Data were collected through structured face-to-face questionnaires assessing demographic characteristics, treatment duration, allergen type, comorbidities, SCIT interruption status, reasons for interruption, and symptom exacerbation. We evaluated the psychological status via the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).