Prevalence and characteristics of adult patients with adult-onset and childhood-onset food allergy
2
Issued Date
2025-12-01
Resource Type
ISSN
0125877X
eISSN
22288694
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105029141010
Pubmed ID
37466966
Journal Title
Asian Pacific Journal of Allergy and Immunology
Volume
43
Issue
4
Start Page
762
End Page
775
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Asian Pacific Journal of Allergy and Immunology Vol.43 No.4 (2025) , 762-775
Suggested Citation
Sompornrattanaphan M., Ajalasaereewong S., Wongsa C., Thongngarm T., Chokevittaya P., Vichara-Anont I., Sirimaskasem K., Surapinij J., Laomoleethron J., Wihakhaphirom S., Haridravedh S., Limpiyakorn S., Paringkarn T., Krikeerati T. Prevalence and characteristics of adult patients with adult-onset and childhood-onset food allergy. Asian Pacific Journal of Allergy and Immunology Vol.43 No.4 (2025) , 762-775. 775. doi:10.12932/ap-210223-1548 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/114911
Title
Prevalence and characteristics of adult patients with adult-onset and childhood-onset food allergy
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Corresponding Author(s)
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Abstract
Background: IgE-mediated food allergy (FA) affects health-related quality of life, and may cause life-threatening reactions. Few studies characterizing adult FA patients have been reported, especially first ever reaction (FER) in adult-onset. Objectives: We describe the characteristics of adult FA patients, especially FER and compare these characteristics between childhood-and adult-onset FA. Methods: A cross-sectional study of all adult patients visiting the Allergy Clinic, Siriraj Hospital at the outpatient department between January 2009 to December 2019 was conducted. Demographic, clinical data, and first reaction in life data were collected. Adult-onset was defined as ≥ 18 years old. Results: Of 711 patients visiting the clinic, 174 (24.4%) were FA with a median age of 31.0 years (interquartile range 24.0, 44.0 years); 29.3% were male. FA patients had significantly higher prevalence of sensitization to cockroach compared with non-FA patients (67.4% vs. 56.3%); p = 0.016). The three most common food triggers were shellfish (68.0%), wheat (28.7%), and fruit and vegetables (10.0%). Before diagnosis, 56.7% (97/171) experienced at least 1 food-related anaphylaxis. Of the 166 patients compared on age of onset, 127 (76.5%) were adult-onset. In FER, patients with adult-onset had significantly more reactions to fruit and vegetables, more respiratory system involvement, and more other systems involvement [OR 8.95 (1.13, 1157); p = 0.034; OR 3.15 (95%CI 1.30, 8.25), p = 0.011; OR 10.8 (1.35, 1404), p = 0.019, respectively]. In sensitivity analysis, the cardiovascular system involvement was also significantly more common [OR 2.78 (1.05, 9.15); p = 0.038]. Conclusion: Shellfish was the most common trigger foods in adult FA patients. In FER, anaphylaxis was common for adult-onset. Adult-onset FA patients also had more respiratory, cardiovascular, and other systems involvements than childhood-onset ones. FA awareness, early diagnosis, and proper management are encouraged. Further studies on the adult-onset food allergic patients are required.