The goal of this observational study is to learn about repetitive anaphylactic reactions in food allergic patients and to compare the frequency of repetitive reactions between different elicitors in food allergic patients. The main question it aims to answer are: • Is there an elicitor specific difference in the occurrence of anaphylactic reactions once the elicitor has been identified and the patient received counselling about its avoidance? Participants will answer questionnaires via a link they will receive via e-mail at baseline and 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after inclusion in the study.
The aim of the study is to establish a cohort of patients who were included in the anaphylaxis registry with an anaphylactic reaction to legumes, tree nuts, seeds, grains or pseudocereals within the previous twelve months. Patients are requested to provide information about the occurrence of new allergic reactions at defined time-points over a period of two years (at baseline, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months). In addition, their eating behavior and the food allergy-specific quality of life will be captured. The investigators intend to track self-management in dealing with anaphylaxis, especially the use of emergency medication. It is examined whether patients react again and whether these are reactions to a known or previously unknown allergen to the patient. By recording the symptoms, it will be checked whether there are certain reaction patterns to specific foods or whether these are patient specific. In addition, the influence of the previous anaphylactic reaction and knowledge of the existing allergy on quality of life, dietary behavior and the ability to use emergency medication should be examined. This is intended to help improve the care for future patients in order to minimize the risk of repeat reactions.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
322
Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Berlin, State of Berlin, Germany
RECRUITINGFrequency of allergic reactions in tree nut and peanut allergic patients within the observation period of the study
The aim is to identify whether the frequency of allergic reactions after the identification of the elicitor of the initial allergic reaction differs between peanuts and tree nuts
Time frame: 2 years
Frequency of allergic reactions among patients with different food allergens within the observation period of the study
The aim is to identify whether the frequency of allergic reactions after the identification of the elicitor of the initial allergic reaction differs between different food allergens
Time frame: 2 years
The association of food allergy related quality of life, measured via the Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire, with repetitive allergic reactions
An anaphylactic reaction to food can impact quality of life. The investigators want to observe the food allergy related quality of life over the study period and examine whether the existence of repetitive reaction influences quality of life. Food allergy related quality of life is measured via the Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire (FAQLQ). Patients can achieve 1 - 7 points, where a higher score represents a higher impairment of quality of life and 1 point represents no impairment.
Time frame: 2 years
The association of eating habits (e.g. frequency of eating out) and the occurrence of repetitive allergic reactions
An anaphylactic reaction to food can influence eating habits and specific eating habits can be related to more frequent accidental allergic reactions. The investigators want to observe whether the eating habits differ between patients with and without recurrent allergic reactions. The eating habits are captured with a non-validated questionnaire. Patient are requested to answer, whether they follow a specific diet (e.g. vegan, vegetarian, religious diets) and how often they use specific ways of eating out (e.g. in a restaurant or eating at a friends place). The eating habits are captured at every time point of the study (baseline, 3, 6, 12, 24 months).
Time frame: 2 years
Use of emergency medication during a repetitive reaction
The prescripton of emergency medications and the instruction about their use enables patients or their relatives to take care of the primary treatment of anaphylactic reactions. The investigators want to compare whether the use of emergency medication during subsequent anaphylactic reactions increases. Patients are requested to provide details about the use of emergency medication for each allergic reaction they report via the study period.
Time frame: 2 years
Use of adrenaline as first line treatment
The instruction about adrenaline autoinjectors and their use as first line treatment in case of an allergic reaction increases the frequency of its use. The investigators want to compare whether the use of adrenaline as a first line treatment during subsequent anaphylactic reactions increases. Patients are requested to provide details about the use of adrenaline for each allergic reaction they report via the study period.
Time frame: 2 years
The association of dietary counselling and successful allergen avoidance
The investigators hypothesize that dietary counselling enables patients to avoid their allergen effectively and reduces the number of allergic reactions compared to the time before dietary counselling. Patients are requested to provide the number of allergic reactions throughout the two years before inclusion in the study in the baseline questionnaire. This number will be compared with the number of reactions patients report during the study. The study inclusion always takes place in a specialized allergy center, where every patient receives counselling about allergen avoidance.
Time frame: 2 years
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