title: Adult food-induced anaphylaxis hospital presentations in New Zealand.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Food allergy including anaphylaxis is an increasing clinical problem in many countries. Little information is available regarding prevalence, causative foods and time trends in the New Zealand adult population.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This cross-sectional study investigated the incidence of hospital presentation with food-induced anaphylaxis in New Zealand among adults and adolescents over a 10-year period.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ministry of Health hospital discharge data from 2002 to 2011 were analysed using food allergy and anaphylaxis-related International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes to identify acute hospital presentations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was an average annualised rate of hospital food-induced anaphylaxis presentations of 4.8 per 100 000 adults (aged ≥15 years) for the period reviewed. Subgroup analyses revealed significant differences by gender, age group and ethnicity, notably higher rates in females, younger adults (15-34 years) and Pacific Island populations. Seafood was the most common food allergen group, followed by nuts. Time trend analysis revealed a 1.7-fold increase in the 10-year period, mainly attributable to an increase in rates in the Pacific Island population.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data confirm food-induced anaphylaxis as an increasing problem in New Zealand and show significant differences in incidence of hospital presentation in different ethnic populations. Future research will be required to understand and address disparities in the incidence of these conditions.
authors.affiliation: Section of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Bridget
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kool
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Devika
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chandra
authors.affiliation: Immunology Department, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Penny
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fitzharris
keywords: EPIDEMIOLOGY; New Zealand; anaphylaxis; food allergy; hospital presentations