Abstract
Abstract
Introduction
Food allergies (FA) can detrimentally impact physical, emotional, and psychological quality of life (QoL) among pediatric patients. Given the changes from childhood into adolescence, the impact of FA on QoL likely evolves with age. The purpose of this study was to determine whether QoL differed between adolescents and children with FA who participated in a Food Allergy Symposium (FAS).
Methods
Patients with confirmed FA were recruited at an educational community symposium in September 2018 and September 2019. Patients and/or their parents were invited to complete the Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaires (FAQLQ). The Food Allergy Independent Measure (FAIM) reflects concerns about accidental food exposure and disease severity. Higher FAIM and FAQLQ scores reflect worse QoL. Summary scores were compared using the Wilcoxon rank sum test, Fisher’s exact test, or the Chi-square test.
Results
Seventy-four surveys (82% children, 18% adolescents) were included. The FAQLQ total score was higher among adolescents than children (median 5.2 vs 4.2; p = 0.045), and the FAIM was lower in adolescents (median 2.2 vs 2.8; p = 0.037). More adolescents reported previous anaphylaxis than children (91.7% vs 51.8%; p = 0.011). The percentage reassured by having epinephrine was higher in adolescents (81.8% vs 45.8%; p = 0.046). No other QoL scores and survey responses were significantly different.
Discussion
In this study, adolescents were more concerned about their disease and more reassured by epinephrine carriage than younger children, which may reflect increased autonomy and responsibility. Community events are an important way to assess QoL and provide FA-related education to pediatric patients.
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine,Immunology,Immunology and Allergy
Cited by
1 articles.
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