American academy conference overview

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) 2009 Annual Meeting, the largest US gathering of allergists, immunologists, allied health professionals and researchers from around the world, took place in Washington, DC, on 13–17 March 2009. The following is a brief overview of some of the items presented at the meeting.

Accuracy of food allergen labelling tested

Dr. Scott H. Sicherer and his associates conducted a survey of 399 food products available in US supermarkets. Their results revealed almost 2 percent of products that did not have an allergen declaration actually contained detectable levels of key allergenic proteins. While the survey was not an exhaustive review of all food products, the study authors found the products without appropriate allergen labelling were primarily from smaller companies.

The products tested were supermarket-sourced, randomly selected food products. Of those without allergen labelling, 1.9 percent had detectable levels of one of the allergens. Furthermore, 5.3 percent of products that had ‘may contain’ type precautionary labelling were found to contain detectable levels of one of three allergens: egg, milk or peanut.

In a press release discussing the findings, Dr Sicherer estimated the levels of detectable allergenic protein in about half of the mislabelled products might prompt a reaction in sensitive people.

The group did not explore which food types or groups were more likely to contain allergens, but other researchers reporting at the same meeting found that dark chocolates were a leading offender.

Food allergy causes financial burden for families

The economic and caregiver impact of food allergy was investigated using results from the 2005-2006 National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN), from which 4,331 food allergic children were identified. The families of food allergic individuals were found to be more likely to have financial burdens as a result of the disease. When compared to the general survey sample, families with a food allergic child were more likely to stop working, reduce working or incur financial problems.

The presence of financial problems was associated with a deficiency in specialist care, as well as with a lack of family mental health care. The study authors concluded that ensuring food allergic children and their families receive the necessary care may diminish the economic impact of food allergies.

Food allergies mess with holiday plans

Families with food allergic individuals make significant lifestyle alterations when it comes to vacation planning. A survey that was filled out by 410 participants showed that food allergies limit where and how families with food allergic members vacation. Among those who vacation, 68% limit the type of destination with 90% vacationing solely in the U.S. and only 0.3% traveling to a remote location.

Thirty-six percent of respondents reported limiting the type of transportation they take for vacations with 80% avoiding ships and 65% avoiding planes. Typical travel preparations included obtaining extra epinephrine injectors (67%), packing allergen-free food (94%), requesting special airplane accommodations (53%) and researching where the closest hospital is located (48%).

Japan, India, China, Africa and beach resorts in foreign countries were among the destinations that survey responders were least likely to visit.

Once at their destination, 51% eat most of their meals in their own room and 86% arrange for special meals if the destination is equipped to make those accommodations.

Overall, medical care was found to be the most common limit on choice of vacation destination, which prompts a call for resorts to have better access to medical care and the option to ask for special arrangements for those with food allergies.

Black male children at risk for food allergy

The first representative U.S. survey where quantitative sensitization to various foods was investigated has been derived from data collected in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005-2006. In this survey, 8,203 participants, ranging in age from 1 to 85 were found to have serum-specific IgE to egg, milk, peanut and shrimp.

Using data collected from these participants, the prevalence and demographic risk factors for food allergic sensitization and levels of sensitization more likely associated with clinical food allergy were assessed.

Analysis showed the estimated prevalence for clinical food allergy was 2.55%, with peanut and shrimp being the most common allergens. Blacks, males and children, especially black male children, were found to have higher levels of sensitization associated with clinical food allergy.

The prevalence of food sensitization was found to be 16.8%, again with peanut and shrimp being the most common, and was significantly higher in children, males, non-Hispanic blacks and persons of lower income.