Perspectives and gaps in the management of food allergy and anaphylaxis in the Asia-Pacific Region
Issued Date
2024-05-01
Resource Type
eISSN
27728293
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85185181555
Journal Title
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: Global
Volume
3
Issue
2
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: Global Vol.3 No.2 (2024)
Suggested Citation
Leung A.S.Y., Pawankar R., Pacharn P., Wong L.S.Y., Le Pham D., Chan G., Rengganis I., Zhao J., Wang J.Y., Woo K.C.K., Ito K., Jeong K., Recto M., Lucas M., Nagao M., Lobo R.C.M., Munkhbayarlakh S., Sumadiono S., Huq S.R., Ranasinghe T., Tang M. Perspectives and gaps in the management of food allergy and anaphylaxis in the Asia-Pacific Region. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: Global Vol.3 No.2 (2024). doi:10.1016/j.jacig.2023.100202 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/97310
Title
Perspectives and gaps in the management of food allergy and anaphylaxis in the Asia-Pacific Region
Author's Affiliation
Aichi Children's Health and Medical Center
Siriraj Hospital
National Hospital Organization Mie National Hospital
University of Sri Jayewardenepura
National Cheng Kung University Hospital
Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences
University of the Philippines College of Medicine
University of Medicine and Pharmacy at HCMC
Capital Institute of Pediatrics
Universitas Gadjah Mada
Universitas Indonesia, RSUPN Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo
The University of Western Australia
Ajou University School of Medicine
NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne
Prince of Wales Hospital Hong Kong
Nippon Medical School
Tan Tock Seng Hospital
Fe del Mundo Medical Center
National Institute of Diseases of the Chest and Hospital (NIDCH)
Gleneagles Hospital
Siriraj Hospital
National Hospital Organization Mie National Hospital
University of Sri Jayewardenepura
National Cheng Kung University Hospital
Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences
University of the Philippines College of Medicine
University of Medicine and Pharmacy at HCMC
Capital Institute of Pediatrics
Universitas Gadjah Mada
Universitas Indonesia, RSUPN Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo
The University of Western Australia
Ajou University School of Medicine
NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne
Prince of Wales Hospital Hong Kong
Nippon Medical School
Tan Tock Seng Hospital
Fe del Mundo Medical Center
National Institute of Diseases of the Chest and Hospital (NIDCH)
Gleneagles Hospital
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Background: Food allergy (FA), which is a condition that has no effective cure and can result in severe life-threatening allergic reactions, remains a global public health concern; however, little is known about how FAs are currently managed in the Asia-Pacific region. Objective: The main objective of this survey was to evaluate the epidemiology of FA, as well as the availability of resources and practices for management of FA and anaphylaxis by health care providers across Asia. Methods: From June 2022 to September 2022, a questionnaire-based survey comprising 66 questions was electronically sent to member societies of the Asia Pacific Association of Allergy Asthma and Clinical Immunology by using Survey Monkey. Results: A total of 20 responses were received from 15 member countries and territories. Compared with the pediatric data, there was a lack of prevalence data for FA in adults. Except for Australia and Japan, most regions had between 0.1 and 0.5 allergists per 100,000 population and some had fewer than 0.1 allergists per 100,000 population. The perceived rate of FA in regions with a short supply of allergists was high. Although specific IgE tests and oral food challenges were available in all regions, the median wait time for oral food challenges at government facilities was 37 days (interquartile range = 10.5-60 days). Seven regions still relied on prescriptions of ampules and syringes of injectable adrenaline, and adrenaline autoinjectors were not accessible in 4 regions. Oral immunotherapy as FA treatment was available in half of the surveyed countries and territories. Conclusions: Our study offers a cross-sectional evaluation of the management practices for FA in each Asia Pacific Association of Allergy Asthma and Clinical Immunology member country or territory. Urgent actions are required to enhance allergy services, improve the accessibility and affordability of adrenaline autoinjectors, and conduct robust epidemiologic studies.