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Bingemann TA, LeBovidge J, Bartnikas L, Protudjer JLP, Herbert LJ. Psychosocial Impact of Food Allergy on Children and Adults and Practical Interventions. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2024; 24:107-119. [PMID: 38261244 PMCID: PMC11340266 DOI: 10.1007/s11882-023-01121-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW IgE- and non-IgE-mediated food allergies are increasing in prevalence in children and adults worldwide. A food allergy diagnosis can be associated with a sense of overwhelm and stress and commonly has a negative impact on quality of life. RECENT FINDINGS While there is an increased recognition of the psychosocial effects of food allergy, the current research reflects the experience of mostly White, well-educated wealthier populations. Some studies have now explored the psychosocial impact among other populations; however, further study is needed. It is important that physicians and allied health professionals screen for the potentially negative psychosocial effects of food allergy and provide education to promote safety and self-efficacy at each visit; however, time may be a limiting factor. Numerous validated questionnaires are now available to help assess the psychosocial impact of food allergies. Allergy-friendly foods are typically more expensive, and thus, it is imperative that physicians screen for food insecurity as well. Educational resources should be offered regarding living well with food allergies at each visit. For patients and families experiencing anxiety or food allergy burden that is difficult to manage, referral to a mental health provider should be considered. Resources regarding programs to help accessing safe foods should also be available. Further research is needed among diverse populations focusing on interventions to best support patients and families with food allergy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa A Bingemann
- Departments of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology and Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 695, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA.
| | - Jennifer LeBovidge
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lisa Bartnikas
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jennifer L P Protudjer
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Department of Food and Human Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- George Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Linda J Herbert
- Division of Psychology &, Behavioral Health, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
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Höfer V, Martini M, Dölle-Bierke S, Worm M, Bilò MB. Health-related quality of life in food and venom induced anaphylaxis and role of influencing factors. Clin Exp Allergy 2023; 53:295-306. [PMID: 36565032 DOI: 10.1111/cea.14268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The impact on health-related quality of life (HRQL) plays a key role for patients suffering from allergies and anaphylaxis. In this narrative review we review the HRQL in allergic patients suffering from food and venom allergy, both being the most frequent elicitors of severe allergic, potential life-threatening reactions and provide an overview on the current knowledge and identified gaps. The data show that for food and venom allergy standardized assessment tools to measure HRQL are available and have been successfully applied. Our analysis shows that multiple factors can modulate HRQL in these patient groups. These include sociodemographic data like patients' age and sex, fear of accidental reactions but also external factors like the social environment and the appreciation of the seriousness of the condition by others. External factors may have a significant impact on HRQL and should be considered in patient-related outcome assessments to avoid biased measurements possibly affecting the results. The assessment of the quality of life in the context of specific immunotherapy should consider lifestyle factors and ideally, the individual change in HRQL should be measured. Although there are many data indicating a negative impact on HRQL in food allergic children and their caregivers, limited data are existing from adults with food allergy and venom allergic patients from all age groups. Also, the use of standardized questionnaires should be extended to allow for a better comparability of results between studies. Therefore, translation to additional languages is necessary. Taken together, the eliciting allergen, the severity of the allergic disease but moreover multiple external factors impact the outcome in HRQL and should be considered in HRQL assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Höfer
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Matteo Martini
- Allergy Unit, Ospedali Riuniti Marche Nord, Fano, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Sabine Dölle-Bierke
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Margitta Worm
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maria Beatrice Bilò
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy.,Allergy Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona, Ancona, Italy
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Preliminary psychometric analyses and clinical performance of a caregiver self-efficacy scale for food allergy self-management. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2019; 120:73-79. [PMID: 29273132 DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2017.09.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Revised: 09/11/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Food allergy health-related quality of life has been defined, but self-efficacy is poorly described. OBJECTIVE To examine the preliminary reliability, validity, and clinical performance of a novel food allergy self-efficacy index. METHODS An 8-item Food Allergy Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (FASEQ) was adapted for food allergy-related themes and coadministered with the Food Allergy Quality of Life Parental Burden (FAQL-PB) index to caregivers self-reporting a food allergic child (group A) and those with children followed up at a food allergy referral center clinic (group B). FASEQ split-half reliability, 2-week recall, factor analysis, and construct and discriminative validity were assessed. Multiple linear regression was used to explore predictive associations between the FAQL-PB and the FASEQ. RESULTS Among 2,308 caregivers, the mean FASEQ score was 2.69 (95% CI, 2.66-2.73) and was lower (better) among group A (mean FASEQ score, 2.52; 95% CI, 2.49-2.56) vs group B (mean FASEQ score, 3.75; 95% CI, 3.66-3.84; P < .001). The FASEQ Cronbach α was 0.87, and the 2-week intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.75. Total and 6 of 8 individual FASEQ domain scores were significantly lower among caregivers with children having anaphylaxis or epinephrine use vs none and peanut or tree nut allergy vs milk or egg allergy, demonstrating good discriminative validity. Total FASEQ score was associated with FAQL-PB score (ICC, 0.13; 95% CI, 0.06-0.19; P < .001), with 6 of 8 FASEQ individual domains significantly associated (ICC range, -0.17 to 0.3; P < .01 for all). Factor analysis revealed 2 domains (medical care and social functioning) with construct validity. CONCLUSION We present preliminary evidence the FASEQ is a valid tool to assess caregiver food allergy self-efficacy. Self-efficacy is a distinct but related concept that captures aspects of self-management that are an important companion to health-related quality of life.
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Stepanova M, Thompson A, Doyle J, Younossi I, de Avila L, Younossi ZM. Hepatitis C Virus–Infected Patients Receiving Opioid Substitution Therapy Experience Improvement in Patient-Reported Outcomes Following Treatment With Interferon-Free Regimens. J Infect Dis 2017; 217:1033-1043. [DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jix681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2017] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Stepanova
- Center for Outcomes Research in Liver Diseases, Washington, D. C
| | | | - Joseph Doyle
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Hospital, Monash University
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Issah Younossi
- Center for Outcomes Research in Liver Diseases, Washington, D. C
| | - Leyla de Avila
- Betty and Guy Beatty Center for Integrated Research, Inova Health System, Falls Church, Virginia
| | - Zobair M Younossi
- Center for Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Inova Fairfax Hospital
- Betty and Guy Beatty Center for Integrated Research, Inova Health System, Falls Church, Virginia
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Strinnholm Å, Hedman L, Winberg A, Jansson SA, Lindh V, Rönmark E. Health Related Quality of Life among schoolchildren aged 12-13 years in relation to food hypersensitivity phenotypes: a population-based study. Clin Transl Allergy 2017; 7:20. [PMID: 28680560 PMCID: PMC5494861 DOI: 10.1186/s13601-017-0156-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2016] [Accepted: 05/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background While Health Related Quality of Life has been investigated among children with IgE-mediated food allergy, less is known about quality of life among children with other types of hypersensitivity to food. The aim of this study was to investigate Health Related Quality of Life (HRQL) in children with and without food hypersensitivity. Further, we compared HRQL between children with different phenotypes of food hypersensitivity.
Methods In a large population-based cohort of schoolchildren in Northern Sweden, the parents of 2612 (96% of invited) completed a questionnaire. All 125 (5%) children who reported complete elimination of milk, egg, fish or wheat due to food hypersensitivity were invited to a clinical examination and 94 children participated. Of these, 75 children also completed a generic (KIDSCREEN-52) and a disease-specific HRQL questionnaire (FAQLQ-TF). Thereafter, these children were categorised into the different phenotypes: current food allergy, outgrown food allergy, and lactose intolerance. Additionally, 209 children with unrestricted diets answered the generic questionnaire.
Results The median score of all KIDSCREEN-52 domains were above the population norm of 50 both in children with and without food hypersensitivity. No significant differences in distribution in generic or disease-specific HRQL were found between children with or without food hypersensitivity. There were no significant differences in HRQL between children with different phenotypes of food hypersensitivity. However, children with current food allergy tended to have the lowest HRQL. Further, poor HRQL defined as ≥75th percentile for the disease specific score was significantly more common in the current food allergy phenotype in the domain Emotional impact and the total FAQLQ, compared to the other phenotypes. Conclusions In this population-based study, 12–13 year old children reported good HRQL regardless of having food hypersensitivity or not. However, the children with the current phenotype reported lower HRQL than the other phenotypes. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13601-017-0156-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Åsa Strinnholm
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, OLIN Unit, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden.,Department of Nursing, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Linnéa Hedman
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, OLIN Unit, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden.,Division of Nursing, Department of Health Sciences, Luleå University of Technology, 971 87 Luleå, Sweden
| | - Anna Winberg
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Pediatrics, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Sven-Arne Jansson
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, OLIN Unit, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Viveca Lindh
- Department of Nursing, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Eva Rönmark
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, OLIN Unit, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
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Ammerlaan JW, van Os-Medendorp H, Sont JK, Elsworth GR, Osborne RH. Validation of the dutch version of the health education impact questionnaire (HEIQ) and comparison of the Dutch translation with the English, German and French HEIQ. Health Qual Life Outcomes 2017; 15:28. [PMID: 28143551 PMCID: PMC5282770 DOI: 10.1186/s12955-017-0601-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2016] [Accepted: 01/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Health Education Impact Questionnaire (heiQ) evaluates the effectiveness of health education and self-management programs provided to people dealing with a wide range of conditions. Aim of this study was to translate, culturally adapt and validate the Dutch translation of the heiQ and to compare the results with the English, German and French translations. Methods A systematic translation process was undertaken. Psychometric properties were studied among patients with arthritis, atopic dermatitis, food allergy and asthma (n = 286). Factorial validity using confirmatory factor analysis, item difficulty (D), item remainder correlation and composite reliability were conducted. Stability was tested using the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). Results Items were well understood and only minor language adjustments were required. Confirmatory fit indices were >0.95 and item difficulty was D ≥ 0.65 for all items in scales showing acceptable fit indices, except for the reversed Emotional distress scale. Composite reliability ranged between 0.67 and 0.85. Test-retest reliability (n = 93) ICC varied between 0.61 and 0.84. Comparisons with other translations showed comparable fit indices. A lower ICC on Self-monitoring and insight scale was observed. Conclusions The Dutch translation of the heiQ was found to be well understood and user friendly by patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Atopic Dermatitis, Food allergy and asthma and to have robust psychometric properties for evaluating the impact of health education and self-management programs. Given the wide applications of the heiQ and the comparability of the Dutch results with the English, German and French version, the heiQ is a practical and useful questionnaire to evaluate the impact of self-management support programs in different countries and populations with different diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judy W Ammerlaan
- Department Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, HPN D02.244, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Harmieke van Os-Medendorp
- Department Dermatology and Allergology, University Medical Center Utrecht, HPN D02.244, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jacob K Sont
- Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Medical Decision Making, J10-86, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gerald R Elsworth
- Health Systems Improvement Unit, School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Geelong, 3220, Australia
| | - Richard H Osborne
- Health Systems Improvement Unit, School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Geelong, 3220, Australia
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Prior studies have suggested a relationship between atopy and mental health, although methodological barriers have limited the generalizability of these findings. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between early-life atopy and vulnerability to mental health problems among youth in the community. METHOD Data were drawn from the Raine Study (N = 2868), a population-based birth cohort study in Western Australia. Logistic regression and generalized estimating equations were used to examine the relationship between atopy at ages 1-5 years [using parent report and objective biological confirmation (sera IgE)], and the range of internalizing and externalizing mental health problems at ages 5-17 years. RESULTS Atopy appears to be associated with increased vulnerability to affective and anxiety problems, compared to youth without atopy. These associations remained significant after adjusting for a range of potential confounders. No relationship was evident between atopy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or externalizing problems. CONCLUSIONS Findings are the first linking atopy (measured by both parent report and objective verification) with increased vulnerability to affective and anxiety problems. Therefore, replication is required. If replicated, future research aimed at understanding the possible biological and/or social and environmental pathways underlying these links is needed. Such information could shed light on shared pathways that could lead to more effective treatments for both atopy and internalizing mental health problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- R D Goodwin
- Department of Psychology,Queens College and The Graduate Center,City University of New York (CUNY),Queens,NY,USA
| | - M Robinson
- Telethon Kids Institute,The University of Western Australia,West Perth,WA,Australia
| | - P D Sly
- Telethon Kids Institute,The University of Western Australia,West Perth,WA,Australia
| | - P G Holt
- Telethon Kids Institute,The University of Western Australia,West Perth,WA,Australia
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van der Valk JPM, Gerth van Wijk R, Flokstra-de Blok BMJ, van der Velde JL, de Groot H, Wichers HJ, Dubois AEJ, de Jong NW. No difference in health-related quality of life, after a food challenge with cashew nut in children participating in a clinical trial. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2016; 27:812-817. [PMID: 27495003 DOI: 10.1111/pai.12621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies showed that health-related quality of life (HRQL) significantly improved after the food challenge, with greater improvements in HRQL after a negative outcome than after a positive outcome. It is currently unknown whether this also occurs in patients undergoing DBPCFCs with cashew nut in the context of a clinical trial. METHODS Quality of life was studied in children enrolled in a cashew nut study using Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaires (FAQLQs). Children, teenagers and parents of the children completed the questionnaires before the challenge test and 6 months after the DBPCFC with cashew nut. The difference in the change in HRQL between the children with a positive and negative DBPCFC outcome was studied by Mann-Whitney U-test. RESULTS In total, 112 children (67 boys, median age of 9 years) were included. The children, teenagers and parents of the children completed 143 sets of questionnaires in total. There were no significant differences in baseline total and domain scores compared to the follow-up scores in the FAQLQ-CF, FAQLQ-TF and FAQLQ-PF. In children, the delta FAIM score in the negative DBPCFC tested group was significantly better than the delta FAIM score in the positive challenged group (p = 0.026). There were no significant differences in the changes in the scores of the FAQLQ-CF and FAQLQ-PF in the children with a positive challenge outcome, compared to the children with a negative challenge result. However, there was a significant difference in the change in score between the latter groups in the domain 'accidental exposure' of the FAQLQ-TF (p = 0.049). CONCLUSION This study showed no difference in the change in HRQL scores after a DBPCFC with cashew nut in children participating in a clinical trial. The utility of HRQL as an outcome for clinical trials in food allergy may be limited if participant baseline HRQL is relatively unimpaired.
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Affiliation(s)
- J P M van der Valk
- Department Of Internal Medicine, Allergology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - R Gerth van Wijk
- Department Of Internal Medicine, Allergology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - B M J Flokstra-de Blok
- Department of General Practice, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - J L van der Velde
- Department of General Practice, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - H de Groot
- Department of Pediatric Allergology, Diaconessenhuis Voorburg, RdGG, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - H J Wichers
- Wageningen UR Food & Biobased Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - A E J Dubois
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonology and Pediatric Allergology, GRIAC Research Institute, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - N W de Jong
- Department Of Internal Medicine, Allergology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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van Os-Medendorp H, van Leent-de Wit I, de Bruin-Weller M, Knulst A. Usage and users of online self-management programs for adult patients with atopic dermatitis and food allergy: an explorative study. JMIR Res Protoc 2015; 4:e57. [PMID: 25998229 PMCID: PMC4456564 DOI: 10.2196/resprot.4134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2014] [Revised: 03/03/2015] [Accepted: 03/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Two online self-management programs for patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) or food allergy (FA) were developed with the aim of helping patients cope with their condition, follow the prescribed treatment regimen, and deal with the consequences of their illness in daily life. Both programs consist of several modules containing information, personal stories by fellow patients, videos, and exercises with feedback. Health care professionals can refer their patients to the programs. However, the use of the program in daily practice is unknown. Objective The aim of this study was to explore the use and characteristics of users of the online self-management programs “Living with eczema,” and “Living with food allergy,” and to investigate factors related to the use of the trainings. Methods A cross-sectional design was carried out in which the outcome parameters were the number of log-ins by patients, the number of hits on the system’s core features, disease severity, quality of life, and domains of self-management. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize sample characteristics and to describe number of log-ins and hits per module and per functionality. Correlation and regression analyses were used to explore the relation between the number of log-ins and patient characteristics. Results Since the start, 299 adult patients have been referred to the online AD program; 173 logged in for at least one occasion. Data from 75 AD patients were available for analyses. Mean number of log-ins was 3.1 (range 1-11). Linear regression with the number of log-ins as dependent variable showed that age and quality of life contributed most to the model, with betas of .35 ( P=.002) and .26 (P=.05), respectively, and an R2 of .23. Two hundred fourteen adult FA patients were referred to the online FA training, 124 logged in for at least one occasion and data from 45 patients were available for analysis. Mean number of log-ins was 3.0 (range 1-11). Linear regression with the number of log-ins as dependent variable revealed that adding the self-management domain “social integration and support” to the model led to an R2 of .13. The modules with information about the disease, diagnosis, and treatment were most visited. Most hits were on the information parts of the modules (55-58%), followed by exercises (30-32%). Conclusions The online self-management programs “Living with eczema” and “Living with food allergy” were used by patients in addition to the usual face-to-face care. Almost 60% of all referred patients logged in, with an average of three log-ins. All modules seemed to be relevant, but there is room for improvement in the use of the training. Age, quality of life, and lower social integration and support were related to the use of the training, but only part of the variance in use could be explained by these variables.
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Lange L. Quality of life in the setting of anaphylaxis and food allergy. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 23:252-260. [PMID: 26120535 PMCID: PMC4479473 DOI: 10.1007/s40629-014-0029-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2014] [Accepted: 07/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The diagnosis of a food allergy generally has a considerable impact on patients. Not does it result in dietary restrictions, it is often also associated with a constant threat scenario, given the risk of sudden allergic reactions, including life-threatening anaphylaxis. It is essential for patients to receive training on how to deal with emergency situations and make the correct decision regarding the use of emergency medication. Severe allergic reactions occur only rarely if patients are well informed. However, the fear of allergic reactions results in a significant impairment in quality of life (QoL). In recent years, numerous studies have been carried out on QoL in food-allergy and anaphylaxis patients. These studies provide insight into patient behaviour in everyday life. More importantly, by means of targeted and specific counselling, they also make it possible to reduce adverse effects on QoL and improve avoidance behaviour and compliance in terms of the requisite emergency measures. The present article summarizes the available data and formulates recommendations aimed at improving the care of food-allergy patients in terms of QoL and compliance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Lange
- Department of Pediatrics, St. Marien-Hospital, Robert-Koch-Str. 1, 53115 Bonn, Germany
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Greenhawt M. Food allergy quality of life. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2014; 113:506-12. [PMID: 25442694 DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2014.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2014] [Revised: 06/24/2014] [Accepted: 06/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Greenhawt
- The University of Michigan Food Allergy Center, Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Department of Pediatrics, Division of General Pediatrics, Child Health Evaluation and Research Unit, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
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