The changing epidemiology of food allergy--implications for New Zealand.
Food allergy (FA) is recognised as an important public health problem in developed countries. Recent studies suggest a significant proportion of the general population has a definable FA. The methods used to study FA influence published estimates of incidence and prevalence. In particular, studies relying on self-assessment are likely to overestimate the condition compared to studies using a comprehensive approach including symptoms, allergy testing, rigorously conducted laboratory tests, and food challenges. Currently there are no reliable data on the prevalence of FA in New Zealand. This has had several adverse consequences including the lack of public hospital services for patients with severe allergies. In this article we summarise the epidemiological data on FA and discuss the implications for New Zealand.
Crooks
Christine
C
Department of Virology and Immunology, LabPlus, Auckland Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand.
Ameratunga
Rohan
R
Simmons
Greg
G
Jorgensen
Penny
P
Wall
Clare
C
Brewerton
Maia
M
Sinclair
Jan
J
Steele
Richard
R
Ameratunga
Shanthi
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005006:Ethnicity; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016269:Milk Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D021183:Peanut Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012758:Shellfish / Q000009:adverse effects*