The EuroPrevall surveys on the prevalence of food allergies in children and adults: background and study methodology.
BACKGROUND
The epidemiological surveys in children and adults of the EU-funded multidisciplinary Integrated Project EuroPrevall, launched in June 2005, were designed to estimate the currently unknown prevalence of food allergy and exposure to known or suspected risk factors for food allergy across Europe. We describe the protocol for the epidemiological surveys in children and adults. This protocol provides specific instructions on the sampling strategy, the use of questionnaires, and collection of blood samples for immunological analyses.


METHODS
The surveys were performed as multi-centre, cross-sectional studies in general populations. Case-control studies were nested within these surveys. The studies in children aged 7-10 years and adults aged 20-54 years were undertaken in eight centres representing different social and climatic regions in Europe.


RESULTS
After a community-based survey collecting basic information on adverse reactions to foods, all those stating they had experienced such reactions, as well as of a random sample of those stating 'no reactions' to foods, completed a detailed questionnaire on potential risks and exposures. Also a blood sample was taken to allow serological analysis to establish patterns of food and aeroallergen sensitization. We also included a questionnaire to schools on their preparedness for dealing with food allergy amongst pupils. Subjects reporting adverse reactions to foods and sensitized to the same food(s) were called in for a full clinical evaluation that included a double blind placebo controlled food challenge (DBPCFC), following a protocol which is described in detail elsewhere.


CONCLUSIONS
The outcome of these studies will help to improve our understanding of several important aspects of food allergies in the European Community, providing for more well-informed policies and effective measures of disease prevention, diagnosis and management.
Kummeling
I
I
Department of Respiratory Epidemiology and Public Health, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK.
Mills
E N C
ENC
Institute of Food Research, Materials Science, Norwich, UK.
Clausen
M
M
Children's Hospital Iceland, Landspitali, University Hospital, Reykjavík, Iceland.
Dubakiene
R
R
Clinics of Chest, Allergology and Radiology, Medical faculty, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania.
Pérez
C Farnãndez
CF
Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Preventive Medicine Department. Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain.
Fernández-Rivas
M
M
Allergy Department, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain.
Knulst
A C
AC
University Medical Center Utrecht, Department of Dermatology/Allergology, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Kowalski
M L
ML
Department of Immunology, Rheumatology and Allergy, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Poland.
Lidholm
J
J
Phadia AB, Uppsala, Sweden.
Le
T-M
TM
University Medical Center Utrecht, Department of Dermatology/Allergology, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Metzler
C
C
Allergy Unit, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Zürich, Switzerland.
Mustakov
T
T
Medical University, Clinical Centre of Allergology of the Alexandrovska Hospital, Sofia, Bulgaria.
Popov
T
T
Medical University, Clinical Centre of Allergology of the Alexandrovska Hospital, Sofia, Bulgaria.
Potts
J
J
Department of Respiratory Epidemiology and Public Health, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK.
Van Ree
R
R
Department of Experimental Immunology and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Sakellariou
A
A
Allergy Department, 2nd Pediatric Clinic, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Töndury
B
B
Allergy Unit, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Zürich, Switzerland.
Tzannis
K
K
Allergy Department, 2nd Pediatric Clinic, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Burney
P
P
Department of Respiratory Epidemiology and Public Health, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK.
D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019937:Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007391:International Cooperation; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E