The Peanut Allergy Burden Study: Real-world impact of peanut allergy on resource utilization and productivity

Abstract

Background There is limited research demonstrating the real-world economic burden of peanut allergy (PA) in the United States. The Peanut Allergy Burden Study (PABS) is a cross-sectional quantitative survey designed to determine the real-world experience of patients and caregivers with PA. The objective of the study was to understand the real-world utilization of PA-related healthcare resources and the impact of PA on productivity. Methods Participants completed an online survey to examine the real-world 12-month and lifetime healthcare utilization and past week productivity impact of PA in children (as reported by caregiver proxy), adolescents with PA, adults with PA, and caregivers of children with PA. Results Healthcare resource use over the past 12 months was frequent for adults (n = 153), adolescents (n = 102), and children (as reported by caregivers) (n = 382) with PA. Patients and caregivers reported the following rates of PA-related utilization in the past 12 months: at least 3 regular allergist appointments (28.8%–39.3%), unscheduled allergist appointments (15.6%–18.3%), general practitioner appointments (16.7%–24.2%), over-the-counter (OTC) medication usage (28.5%–35.7%), and epinephrine autoinjector usage (17.7%–26.2%). Additionally, over half of patients and caregivers reported ≥1 PA-related emergency department (ED)/urgent care visit (57.5%–59.9%), overnight hospital admission (36.3%–47.4%), IV epinephrine use (37.2%–52.3%), or intubation (26.2%–39.8%) over the past 12 months for PA. Healthcare resource use was high among all groups. Regarding productivity, PA significantly impacted household work, schoolwork, and employed work for patients and caregivers. PA-related reactions also impacted school attendance of children with PA. Conclusion Many healthcare resources were utilized by patients with PA and there was a loss of productivity associated with PA for patients and caregivers. New treatments to prevent or lower the risk of PA reactions could potentially help reduce healthcare resource utilization and PA-related productivity loss among patients and their families, particularly for patients for whom avoidance as a treatment strategy has not been reliable.

Peanut allergy burden survey: Factors associated with health‐related quality of life in adolescents

“…Questions analyzed and reported in previous manuscripts (i.e., productivity questions and another HRQoL measure) will not be described in the current manuscript. 4 , 7 Study participants were compensated with “award points” that could be redeemed for gift certificates, merchandise, or cash.…”

“…Additionally, in the past 12 months, 56.9%–59.9% of adolescent and adult patients and caregivers reported at least one PA‐related emergency or urgent care visit, 36.3%–47.4% reported an overnight hospital admission, 37.2%–52.3% reported intravenous (IV) epinephrine use, and 26.5%–39.8% reported intubation in the past 12 months. 4 …”

Children and caregiver proxy quality of life from peanut oral immunotherapy trials

“… 5 Understanding the impact of food allergy on HRQoL can guide policy making and healthcare resource allocation. 6 , 7 …”

“…5 Understanding the impact of food allergy on HRQoL can guide policy making and healthcare resource allocation. 6,7 Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) allergen powder-dnfp (PTAH; previously AR101; Palforzia ® ) is a biologic drug for peanut oral immunotherapy (OIT) approved in the United States and Europe to mitigate allergic reactions following accidental exposure to peanut in individuals aged 4-17 years with a confirmed diagnosis of peanut allergy. 8,9 PTAH demonstrated efficacy and safety in phase 2 and 3 trials.…”

“…Additionally, food allergy imposes restrictions and limitations on social activities and increases risk of depression or anxiety 5 . Understanding the impact of food allergy on HRQoL can guide policy making and healthcare resource allocation 6,7 …”