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Health‐ R elated Q uality of L ife in children with perceived and diagnosed food hypersensitivity
Author(s) -
Venter Carina,
Sommer Isolde,
Moonesinghe Harriet,
Grundy Jane,
Glasbey Gillian,
Patil Veeresh,
Dean Taraneh
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
pediatric allergy and immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.269
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1399-3038
pISSN - 0905-6157
DOI - 10.1111/pai.12337
Subject(s) - medicine , anxiety , quality of life (healthcare) , cohort , food allergy , confounding , food hypersensitivity , cohort study , allergy , health related quality of life , pediatrics , disease , psychiatry , immunology , nursing
Background The few studies measuring health‐related quality of life ( HRQL ) in food hypersensitivity ( FHS ) have found significantly reduced HRQL in patients and their families, particularly in the areas of family and social activities, emotional issues and family economy. One aspect that has not been studied is the effect of suspected FHS (food allergy/intolerance) vs. diagnosed FHS [based on a food challenge or a positive skin prick test ( SPT ) and good clinical history] on HRQL . Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the HRQL in children with a proven diagnosis of FHS vs. those with reported FHS . Methods We have utilized the 10‐yr old follow‐up cohort of the F ood A llergy and I ntolerance R esearch ( FAIR ) study from the I sle of W ight and assessed the child's HRQL with the F ood A llergy Q uality of L ife Q uestionnaire – P arent form ( FAQLQ ‐ PF ) which measures HRQL using four domains: food anxiety, emotional impact, social and dietary limitation. Results When comparing the two groups of children (proven FHS vs. perceived FHS ), no difference in HRQL was found, although food anxiety showed a p‐value of (p = 0.062). This was also the case when correcting for all confounding factors identified. Conclusion We have found that having a clear diagnosis of FHS is not an independent predictor of HRQL . Future studies are required comparing two more similar groups. We also need to focus more on the effect of continuous input from the multidisciplinary team on HRQL and which particular factors of FHS management affect HRQL .