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

Nurhan Sayaca; Kübra Aşık Cansız; Cengiz Kirmaz; Beyhan Özyurt; Eylem Yıldırım

doi:10.56766/ntms.1977258

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

Abstract

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). Results: The mean age of participants was 35.9 ± 11.2 years, and 52.9% were female. A total of 70 patients (36.8%) interrupted SCIT during the pandemic. Analysis by allergen type revealed a statistically significant difference between pollen and mite groups (p < 0.001), whereas no significant differences were observed between venom and pollen or mite groups. Significant differences were identified between patients treated for ≤1 year and those receiving longer treatment durations (p < 0.05). However, no significant difference was found between treatment durations of 1–2 years and ≥3 years. These findings suggest that treatment duration has a more pronounced impact within the first year, while outcomes tend to converge with longer treatment periods. The most common reasons for treatment interruption were access difficulties (52.9%) and fear of infection (35%). Conclusion: Approximately one-third of patients discontinued SCIT treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily due to access-related challenges. Female gender and mite allergen immunotherapy were associated with higher rates of non-adherence.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

This study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the Local Ethics Committee (Decision No: 2021/721). Written informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Allergy

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Nurhan Sayaca ^*
0000-0002-3081-9098
Türkiye

Kübra Aşık Cansız
0000-0003-4407-2113
Türkiye

Cengiz Kirmaz
0000-0001-8873-1681
Türkiye

Beyhan Özyurt
0000-0001-5377-4593
Türkiye

Eylem Yıldırım
0000-0003-3998-2139
Türkiye

Publication Date

October 29, 2026

Submission Date

June 23, 2026

Acceptance Date

September 14, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 7 Number: 3

DOI

https://doi.org/10.56766/ntms.1977258

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA44CN82NK

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Sayaca, N., Aşık Cansız, K., Kirmaz, C., Özyurt, B., & Yıldırım, E. (2026). Adherence to Subcutaneous Immunotherapy (SCIT) During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Impact of Anxiety and Depression. New Trends in Medicine Sciences, 7(3), 90-97. https://doi.org/10.56766/ntms.1977258

AMA

1.Sayaca N, Aşık Cansız K, Kirmaz C, Özyurt B, Yıldırım E. Adherence to Subcutaneous Immunotherapy (SCIT) During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Impact of Anxiety and Depression. New Trend Med Sci. 2026;7(3):90-97. doi:10.56766/ntms.1977258

Chicago

Sayaca, Nurhan, Kübra Aşık Cansız, Cengiz Kirmaz, Beyhan Özyurt, and Eylem Yıldırım. 2026. “Adherence to Subcutaneous Immunotherapy (SCIT) During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Impact of Anxiety and Depression”. New Trends in Medicine Sciences 7 (3): 90-97. https://doi.org/10.56766/ntms.1977258.

EndNote

Sayaca N, Aşık Cansız K, Kirmaz C, Özyurt B, Yıldırım E (October 1, 2026) Adherence to Subcutaneous Immunotherapy (SCIT) During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Impact of Anxiety and Depression. New Trends in Medicine Sciences 7 3 90–97.

IEEE

[1]N. Sayaca, K. Aşık Cansız, C. Kirmaz, B. Özyurt, and E. Yıldırım, “Adherence to Subcutaneous Immunotherapy (SCIT) During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Impact of Anxiety and Depression”, New Trend Med Sci, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 90–97, Oct. 2026, doi: 10.56766/ntms.1977258.

ISNAD

Sayaca, Nurhan - Aşık Cansız, Kübra - Kirmaz, Cengiz - Özyurt, Beyhan - Yıldırım, Eylem. “Adherence to Subcutaneous Immunotherapy (SCIT) During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Impact of Anxiety and Depression”. New Trends in Medicine Sciences 7/3 (October 1, 2026): 90-97. https://doi.org/10.56766/ntms.1977258.

JAMA

1.Sayaca N, Aşık Cansız K, Kirmaz C, Özyurt B, Yıldırım E. Adherence to Subcutaneous Immunotherapy (SCIT) During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Impact of Anxiety and Depression. New Trend Med Sci. 2026;7:90–97.

MLA

Sayaca, Nurhan, et al. “Adherence to Subcutaneous Immunotherapy (SCIT) During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Impact of Anxiety and Depression”. New Trends in Medicine Sciences, vol. 7, no. 3, Oct. 2026, pp. 90-97, doi:10.56766/ntms.1977258.

Vancouver

1.Nurhan Sayaca, Kübra Aşık Cansız, Cengiz Kirmaz, Beyhan Özyurt, Eylem Yıldırım. Adherence to Subcutaneous Immunotherapy (SCIT) During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Impact of Anxiety and Depression. New Trend Med Sci. 2026 Oct. 1;7(3):90-7. doi:10.56766/ntms.1977258