Abstract
BackgroundIt is a putatively understood phenomenon that the overall prevalence of allergic disease has been increasing in recent decades—particularly in industrialized nations. Despite this, there is a relative scarcity of data concerning the development of food-related allergic disease in the adult population. In addition, the paucity of data as it pertains to the Canadian population is particularly marked when compared to other nations. We sought to determine common culprit foods and the reactions they elicited in a series of 14 patients seen in the Winnipeg allergy and immunology clinic.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective review of patients identified by academic allergists in Winnipeg, Manitoba as fitting criteria for adult-onset IgE-mediated food allergy from May 2018–July 2020. We included patients with IgE-mediated symptoms, including the pollen-food syndrome which developed at the age of 16 or later. We collected data regarding the food which induced the reaction, what the reaction was, and any concomitant atopic disease.ResultsThe most common culprit food identified was shellfish, followed by finfish, pollen-food syndrome, and wheat/flour. The most common reaction experienced was anaphylaxis, followed by food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis and isolated (muco)cutaneous symptoms. With regard to concomitant atopic disease, allergic rhinitis/rhinoconjunctivitis stood out as the most prevalent.ConclusionsAdult-onset food allergy—particularly with resultant anaphylaxis—is an important phenomenon to recognize, even when patients have previously tolerated the food in question.
Highlights
It is a putatively understood phenomenon that the overall prevalence of allergic disease has been increasing in recent decades— in industrialized nations
It is agreed that individual reactions to Walter and Kalicinsky Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol (2020) 16:85 certain allergenic foods may persist into adulthood, while many reactions disappear with age [10]
Further expansion of this knowledge as it pertains to an adult population is of importance, as food allergy contributes significantly to dietary restriction and decreased quality of life [11]
Summary
It is a putatively understood phenomenon that the overall prevalence of allergic disease has been increasing in recent decades— in industrialized nations. It is agreed that individual reactions to Walter and Kalicinsky Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol (2020) 16:85 certain allergenic foods may persist into adulthood (most commonly peanuts, tree nuts, and seafood), while many reactions disappear with age [10] Further expansion of this knowledge as it pertains to an adult population is of importance, as food allergy contributes significantly to dietary restriction and decreased quality of life [11]. Aside from these outcomes, anaphylaxis—a systemic and life-threatening disease process which can culminate in hemodynamic collapse and death [12]—is an significant subgroup of IgE-mediated reactions for which current data in our local adult population is lacking
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