Australian Capital Territory study shows peanut allergy is increasing

A retrospective study of 778 patients (age 4 months to 66 years) in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) with confirmed peanut allergy over 13 years, from 1995 to 2007, has just been published on-line in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. The Australian researchers, Drs Richard Mullins, Keith Dear and Mimi Tang, estimated the incidence of peanut allergy by the age of 6 years in ACT children had more than doubled in children born in 2004 (1.15%) compared to those born 1995 (0.47%).

The study found no significant changes in the clinical features of peanut allergy; most peanut allergy (90%) developed by 6 years of age, and severity and age of first reaction remained unchanged. A third of those who had experienced life-threatening anaphylactic reactions had previously only had milder reactions, and 22% experienced anaphylaxis with first exposure. Having asthma and being older when suffering the first ever reaction were both associated with a greater risk of anaphylaxis.

In an associated press release, Dr Mullins said that while some people believe the increase may be a result of anxious parents rushing to the doctor at the mildest hint of an allergic reaction, the fact that the severity of reported allergic reactions has not changed in recent years undermines this theory. He is also quoted as saying 'Generation A' - the 'allergy generation', has already been born and a failure to act now means that future generations will have an even higher price to pay. One in five Australians currently have some type of food allergy, but this figure is expected to rise to one in four by 2050. Despite this, Dr Mullins said the Government paid the looming problem little attention.

Reference: Mullins RJ, et al. 2009. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Vol 123(3): DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2008.12.1116