J. N. G. Oude Elberink

Health-related quality of life of food allergic patients: comparison with the general population and other diseases

To cite this article: Flokstra‐de Blok BMJ, Dubois AEJ, Vlieg‐Boerstra BJ, Oude Elberink JNG, Raat H, DunnGalvin A, Hourihane JO’B, Duiverman EJ. Health‐related quality of life of food allergic patients: comparison with the general population and other diseases. Allergy 2010; 65: 238–244.

Development and validation of a self-administered Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire for children

Background Having a food allergy may affect health‐related quality of life (HRQL). Currently, no validated, self‐administered, disease‐specific HRQL questionnaire exists for children with food allergy.

Mastocytosis and insect venom allergy: diagnosis, safety and efficacy of venom immunotherapy

The most important causative factor for anaphylaxis in mastocytosis are insect stings. The purpose of this review is to analyse the available data concerning prevalence, diagnosis, safety and effectiveness of venom immunotherapy (VIT) in mastocytosis patients. If data were unclear, authors were contacted personally for further information. Quality of evidence (A: high, B: moderate, C: low and D: very low) and strength of recommendation (strong 1 and weak 2) concerning VIT in mastocytosis patients are assessed according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation and are marked in square brackets. Results of VIT were described in 117 patients to date. The mean rate of side‐effects during treatment in studies published so far is 23.9% (7.6% requiring adrenaline) with an overall protection rate of 72%. Based on the review we conclude that (1) mastocytosis patients have a high risk of severe sting reactions in particular to yellow jacket, (2) VIT could be suggested [2] in mastocytosis, (3) probably should be done life long [2], (4) VIT in mastocytosis is accompanied by a higher frequency of side‐effects, so (5) special precautions should be taken into account notably during the built up phase of the therapy [2], (6) VIT is able to reduce systemic reactions, but to a lesser extent compared to the general insect venom allergic population [2], so (7) patients should be warned that the efficacy of VIT might be less than optimal and they should continue carrying two adrenaline auto injectors [2].

A framework for measuring the social impact of food allergy across Europe: a Europrevall state of the art paper

This state of the art paper has been developed through EuroPrevall, a European multicentre research project funded by the European Union which aims to improve quality of life for food allergic individuals. Food allergy (whether clinically diagnosed or self‐perceived) represents a major health issue in Western societies and may have a considerably greater impact on society than was previously believed. However, the social impact of food allergy has never been systematically investigated using validated instruments. Combining the information from studies on health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) with epidemiological data on prevalence will ultimately give some indication of the magnitude of the social impact of food allergy in Europe. HRQoL can be assessed with disease‐specific questionnaires, which are being developed in EuroPrevall. These instruments will be used to identify HRQoL problems associated with food allergy, and to assess the effectiveness of interventions and to guide the development of regulatory policies.

Proposed diagnostic algorithm for patients with suspected mastocytosis: a proposal of the European Competence Network on Mastocytosis.

Mastocytosis is an emerging differential diagnosis in patients with more or less specific mediator‐related symptoms. In some of these patients, typical skin lesions are found and the diagnosis of mastocytosis can be established. In other cases, however, skin lesions are absent, which represents a diagnostic challenge. In the light of this unmet need, we developed a diagnostic algorithm for patients with suspected mastocytosis. In adult patients with typical lesions of mastocytosis in the skin, a bone marrow (BM) biopsy should be considered, regardless of the basal serum tryptase concentration. In adults without skin lesions who suffer from mediator‐related or other typical symptoms, the basal tryptase level is an important parameter. In those with a slightly increased tryptase level, additional investigations, including a sensitive KIT mutation analysis of blood leucocytes or measurement of urinary histamine metabolites, may be helpful. In adult patients in whom (i) KIT D816V is detected and/or (ii) the basal serum tryptase level is clearly increased (>25–30 ng/ml) and/or (iii) other clinical or laboratory features suggest the presence of ‘occult’ mastocytosis or another haematologic neoplasm, a BM investigation is recommended. In the absence of KIT D816V and other signs or symptoms of mastocytosis or another haematopoietic disease, no BM investigation is required, but the clinical course and tryptase levels are monitored in the follow‐up. In paediatric patients, a BM investigation is usually not required, even if the tryptase level is increased. Although validation is required, it can be expected that the algorithm proposed herein will facilitate the management of patients with suspected mastocytosis and help avoid unnecessary referrals and investigations.

Incorporating a gender dimension in food allergy research: a review.

Sex and gender are the major determinants of health and disease in both men and women. The aim of this review paper was to examine differences in gender and sex in relation to the prevalence and effects of food allergy. There are still major gaps in our knowledge about the kinds of processes which shape mens and womens perceptions and experiences of food allergy. The expression and experience of health and illness may be moderated by variables such as biological vulnerability, exposure to health risks, perception of symptoms, evaluation of risk, information processing and role expectations. This review highlights the complex links between biological sex, gender, and health in general and offers a synthesis of how these may interact to produce sex and gender differences in biopsychosocial manifestations of food allergy. Implications for research and public health practice are discussed.

Development and validation of the Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire – Adult Form

Background:  Health‐related quality of life (HRQL) may be affected by food allergy. Presently, no disease‐specific HRQL questionnaire exists for food allergic adults. Therefore, we developed and validated the Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire – Adult Form (FAQLQ‐AF) in the Dutch language.

Health-related quality of life of food allergic patients measured with generic and disease-specific questionnaires.

To cite this article: Flokstra‐de Blok BMJ, van der Velde JL, Vlieg‐Boerstra BJ, Oude Elberink JNG, DunnGalvin A, Hourihane JO’B, Duiverman EJ, Dubois AEJ. Health‐related quality of life of food allergic patients measured with generic and disease‐specific questionnaires. Allergy 2010; 65: 1031–1038.

Development, validity and reliability of the food allergy independent measure (FAIM)

To cite this article: van der Velde JL, Flokstra‐de Blok BMJ, Vlieg‐Boerstra BJ, Oude Elberink JNG, DunnGalvin A, Hourihane JO’B, Duiverman EJ, Dubois AEJ. Development, validity and reliability of the food allergy independent measure (FAIM). Allergy 2010; 65: 630–635.

Predictors of clinical effectiveness of Hymenoptera venom immunotherapy.

Treatment failure during venom immunotherapy (VIT) may be associated with a variety of risk factors, of which the relative importance is unknown.