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Incidence of food anaphylaxis in Piemonte region (Italy): data from registry of Center for Severe Allergic Reactions

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Abstract

There are wide differences in estimated incidence and prevalence of anaphylaxis because of the absence, until recently, of a universal consensus on the definition of anaphylaxis and the different source of collected data. We aimed to estimate the incidence of food anaphylaxis based on the database of Piemonte Region (Italy) Reference Center for Severe Allergic Reactions. All cases of severe food allergic reactions reported in 2010 were studied. Clinical data associated to the reports were evaluated according to National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease and Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network diagnostic criteria of anaphylaxis. 75 % of the 778 cases were classified as food anaphylaxis (incidence of 13/100,000 person-years, ranging from 9.9 in adults to 29/100,000 person-years in children). Nuts were the most frequent foods causing anaphylaxis. Milk and eggs were responsible for anaphylaxis more often in children, while peach, vegetables and crustaceans were in adults. Cardiovascular symptoms were more frequent in adults. Gastrointestinal involvement was more frequent in children. A high prevalence of respiratory allergic comorbidities was observed. Food is an important cause of anaphylaxis, particularly in subjects with respiratory allergic comorbidities. Children and adults differ in triggers and clinical presentation of anaphylaxis.

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Conflict of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of Torino and AO Ordine Mauriziano, Largo Turati, 62, 10128, Turin, Italy

    Giovanni Rolla, Sabrina Mietta, Alberto Raie, Claudia Bussolino, Franco Nebiolo & Enrico Heffler

  2. Rete Regionale di Allergologia Regione Piemonte, Novara, Italy

    Maurizio Galimberti

  3. SC Allergologia e Osservatorio Regionale delle Gravi Reazioni Allergiche, AO Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy

    Gianni Cadario

Authors
  1. Giovanni Rolla
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  2. Sabrina Mietta
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  3. Alberto Raie
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  4. Claudia Bussolino
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  5. Franco Nebiolo
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  6. Maurizio Galimberti
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  7. Gianni Cadario
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  8. Enrico Heffler
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Correspondence to Giovanni Rolla.

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Rolla, G., Mietta, S., Raie, A. et al. Incidence of food anaphylaxis in Piemonte region (Italy): data from registry of Center for Severe Allergic Reactions. Intern Emerg Med 8, 615–620 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11739-013-0978-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11739-013-0978-y

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