Quality of life is lower in food allergic adolescents compared to young children at a community educational symposium
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 whe...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13223-023-00853-9 |
| _version_ | 1797414784399835136 |
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| author | Diem-Tran I. Nguyen Kathleen Pitts Kristen A. Staggers Carla M. Davis |
| author_facet | Diem-Tran I. Nguyen Kathleen Pitts Kristen A. Staggers Carla M. Davis |
| author_sort | Diem-Tran I. Nguyen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T05:38:50Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-39f7f5efb0394757a554d2fa9cc70851 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1710-1492 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T05:38:50Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology |
| spelling | doaj.art-39f7f5efb0394757a554d2fa9cc708512023-12-03T12:26:23ZengBMCAllergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology1710-14922023-11-011911410.1186/s13223-023-00853-9Quality of life is lower in food allergic adolescents compared to young children at a community educational symposiumDiem-Tran I. Nguyen0Kathleen Pitts1Kristen A. Staggers2Carla M. Davis3Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of MedicineDepartment of Pediatrics, Baylor College of MedicineInstitute for Clinical and Translational Research, Baylor College of MedicineDepartment of Pediatrics, Baylor College of MedicineAbstract 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.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13223-023-00853-9Food allergyPediatricsQuality of life |
| spellingShingle | Diem-Tran I. Nguyen Kathleen Pitts Kristen A. Staggers Carla M. Davis Quality of life is lower in food allergic adolescents compared to young children at a community educational symposium Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology Food allergy Pediatrics Quality of life |
| title | Quality of life is lower in food allergic adolescents compared to young children at a community educational symposium |
| title_full | Quality of life is lower in food allergic adolescents compared to young children at a community educational symposium |
| title_fullStr | Quality of life is lower in food allergic adolescents compared to young children at a community educational symposium |
| title_full_unstemmed | Quality of life is lower in food allergic adolescents compared to young children at a community educational symposium |
| title_short | Quality of life is lower in food allergic adolescents compared to young children at a community educational symposium |
| title_sort | quality of life is lower in food allergic adolescents compared to young children at a community educational symposium |
| topic | Food allergy Pediatrics Quality of life |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13223-023-00853-9 |
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