Editorial

Food Allergy: An Overdiagnosed but Underappreciated Problem

Authors: David J. Amrol, MD

Abstract

Food allergy, an adverse health effect arising from a specific immune response that occurs reproducibly on exposure to a given food, is a common clinical problem and has had much attention in the lay press recently. The National Institutes of Health just released a landmark publication on food allergy: "The Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Food Allergy in the United States: Report of the NIAID-Sponsored Expert Panel."1 This comprehensive document discusses the definition and epidemiology of food allergy and provides recommendations on diagnosis and management. Food allergy is self-reported in 12-13% of Americans, but is confirmed by food challenge in only 3% of the population.1 This overdiagnosis can lead to a lack of awareness of the impact of food allergy in both physicians and the general population.

This content is limited to qualifying members.

Existing members, please login first

If you have an existing account please login now to access this article or view purchase options.

Purchase only this article ($25)

Create a free account, then purchase this article to download or access it online for 24 hours.

Purchase an SMJ online subscription ($75)

Create a free account, then purchase a subscription to get complete access to all articles for a full year.

Purchase a membership plan (fees vary)

Premium members can access all articles plus recieve many more benefits. View all membership plans and benefit packages.

References

1. Boyce J, Assa'ad A, Burks W, et al. Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of food allergy in the united states: report of the NIAID-sponsored expert panel. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2010;126:S1-S58.
 
2. Mulla Z. Hospitalizations of children and young adults from peanut induced anaphylaxis in Texas. South Med J 2011;104:322-324.
 
3. Sampson HA, Mendelson L, Rosen JP. Fatal and near-fatal anaphylactic reactions to food in children and adolescents. N Engl J Med 1992;327:380-384.
 
4. Bock-Furlong A, Sampson HA. Fatalities due to anaphylactic reactions to foods. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2001;107:191-193.
 
5. Shelk LP, Sodererstrom L, Ahlstedt S, et al. Determination of food allergy specific IgE levels over time can predict the development of tolerance in cow's milk and hen's egg allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2004;114:387-391.
 
6. Fleischer DM. The natural history of peanut and tree nut allergy. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2007;7:175-181.