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Epidemiology and Burden of Food Allergy

Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2020 Feb 14;20(2):6. doi: 10.1007/s11882-020-0898-7.

Abstract

Purpose of review: In recent decades, food allergy has become an increasing concern for families, clinicians, and policymakers. This review aims to summarize what is currently known about the epidemiology and population-level burden of IgE-mediated food allergy, including its effects on quality of life.

Recent findings: Prevalence surveys, healthcare utilization data, and findings from longitudinal cohort studies across the globe indicate that food allergy imposes a growing societal burden. Worryingly, recent data indicate that food allergies may be more prevalent among adult populations than previously acknowledged, with many reported cases of adult-onset allergies. While it remains unclear how much of the current population-level burden of disease results from true, IgE-mediated allergy, as much epidemiological data does not incorporate clinical confirmation of disease prevalence-it is clear that affected individuals suffer impairments in their quality of life and incur substantial economic costs-beyond the physical health burden imposed by anaphylaxis.

Keywords: Burden of disease; Food allergy epidemiology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anaphylaxis / epidemiology
  • Food Hypersensitivity / epidemiology*
  • Food Hypersensitivity / immunology
  • Food Hypersensitivity / psychology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin E / immunology
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Prevalence
  • Quality of Life / psychology

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin E