Treatment of initial allergic reactions to peanut inside and outside of health care facilities

Abstract

Methods Individuals with an allergist-confirmed peanut allergy were recruited from the Montreal’s Children Hospital and Canadian food allergy advocacy organizations. Data were collected on initial allergic reactions to peanut and treatment inside and outside HCFs. Results Of 751 individuals who had an allergic reaction to peanut, 613 responded (81.6%). Initial reactions were mild in 28.4% (95% CI, 25.0-32.1%), moderate in 50.6% (46.654.6%), and severe in 20.9% (17.8-24.3%). Average age of initial reaction was 2.1 years (2.0-2.3). Among participants, 11.6% (9.1-14.7%) were diagnosed with peanut allergy (based on skin and IgE testing) prior to the initial reaction. Of the 613 participants, 32.1% (28.5-36.0%) were treated in HCFs only, 51.7% (47.7-55.7) outside HCFs only, and 16.2% (13.4-19.3%) in both. 21.3% (17.026.3%) of all reactions treated in HCFs received epinephrine (table) versus only 3% (1.8-5.1%) treated outside. Of those with moderate or severe initial reactions, 58.2% (53.5-62.8%) were treated in HCFs, and 23.9% (19.1-29.6%) of these received epinephrine. See table 1.