Quality of Life Is More Impaired in Patients Seeking Medical Care for Food Allergy

Abstract

Background: Food allergy (FA) affects 2-4% of adults, but only a small percentage visit an outpatient clinic for a thorough evaluation. Methods: A matched case-control study was used to compare health-related quality of life (HRQL) of the Dutch general population that did not seek medical care for their FA with outpatients who did seek medical care. All participants were diagnosed as food allergic (i.e. with a suggestive history and corresponding positive IgE). HRQL was measured using the Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire - Adult Form (FAQLQ-AF). A food allergy independent measure (FAIM) was used to evaluate the adult's perception of the severity of his/her disease. Results: Total FAQLQ-AF score in individuals who never visited a doctor for their FA was significantly lower than that of patients who sought medical care (2.4 vs. 3.9, p = 0.03), indicating that the former had a better quality of life than patients who did seek medical care. Regarding the different domains of FAQLQ, the score for allergen avoidance and dietary restrictions and the score for emotional impact (EI) was significantly higher in the group that sought medical care (p = 0.02 and 0.03, respectively), indicating the importance of these domains. The FAIM score was significantly higher in the group that sought medical care, indicating that they perceived their FA as more severe. Conclusion and Clinical Relevance: Patients who seek medical care for their FA have a more impaired HRQL and perceive their FA as more severe. Food avoidance and issues related to the EI of FA are key areas of intervention aimed at improving HRQL in patients with FA.

Usage and Users of Online Self-Management Programs for Adult Patients With Atopic Dermatitis and Food Allergy: An Explorative Study

“…The prevalence of AD in the Netherlands in children under six years of age is 11.3%, while in adults the prevalence is 2.3% [ 3 ]. AD as well as FA has a negative impact on quality of life [ 4 - 7 ].…”

Childhood atopy and mental health: a prospective, longitudinal investigation

“…More detailed investigation into mental health of parents of youth with allergy seems worthwhile both with respect to the association we found, and to examine whether and to what degree the experience of having a child with a persistent and potentially life-threatening condition may impact parents’ mental health. As numerous studies have documented decreased quality of life among parents and youth with allergy, this deserves further study (Le et al 2013; van der Velde et al 2013; Howe et al 2014).…”

Food Allergy Quality of Life

“…15,56 Adult FAIs seeking medical care for food allergy had poor QoL and disease perception, and worse QoL was noted in US vs Dutch adult FAIs. 52,57 Moreover, FAIs using the FAQLQeChild Form reported a larger QoL effect than their parents using the proxy form, 58 and differences were found between parent and adolescents using the FAQLQeTeenager Form and FAQLQeParent Form related to adolescent comprehension of illness. 59 The FAQLQ has also been used in interventional trials as a patient-reported outcome tool.…”