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Quality of life in the setting of anaphylaxis and food allergy

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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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Abbreviations

AAI:

Adrenaline autoinjector

AGATE:

Arbeitsgemeinschaft Anaphylaxie Training und Edukation e.V.

FAQLQ:

Food allergy quality of life questionnaire

FAQLQ-AF:

Food allergy quality of life questionnaire adult form

HRQoL:

Health-related quality of life

IgE:

Immunglobulin E

QoL:

Quality of life

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Acknowledgement

My thanks go to Prof. Dr. Uwe Gieler for his critical review of the manuscript.

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  1. Department of Pediatrics, St. Marien-Hospital, Robert-Koch-Str. 1, 53115, Bonn, Germany

    Lars Lange

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  1. Lars Lange
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Correspondence to Lars Lange.

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Lange L. Quality of life in the setting of anaphylaxis and food allergy. Allergo J Int 2014; 23:252–60 DOI: 10.1007/s40629-014-0029-x

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Lange, L. Quality of life in the setting of anaphylaxis and food allergy. Allergo J Int 23, 252–260 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40629-014-0029-x

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