Epidemiologie von Nahrungsmittel-Allergien im Erwachsenenalter

Abstract

Background

Food allergy is believed to be a frequent public health problem. Reliable data from epidemiological studies in adults, however, are scarce.

Methods

Here we report on a population based nested case control study in adults, aged 28 to 78 years, in the region of Augsburg, Germany (KORA allergy study). 1,537 subjects (response 60.5%) participated in the study in 1997/98. Standardized computer assisted interviews were performed and allergic sensitization was assessed by skin prick test with ten common food- and nine aeroallergens.

Results

Overall, 20.8% of the study subjects (50.4% female, age median 50 years) reported adverse food reactions (women 27.5%, men 14.0%; OR 2.35, CI 1.80–3.08). Nuts, fruits, and milk most frequently led to adverse effects. One quarter of the subjects (25.1%) was sensitized to at least one food allergen in the prick test, with hazelnut (17.8%), celery (14.6%), and peanut (11.1%) accounting for most of the positive reactions. The corresponding frequency estimates for the representative study base (n = 4178) were 15.5% for reported adverse reactions and 16.8% for allergic sensitization. Relevant cross sensitizations between food and aeroallergens were observed. Food allergic subjects (positive history and sensitization to corresponding allergen) suffered significantly more often from urticaria, asthma, atopic eczema and especially hay fever (89.1%) than controls (15.1%). Furthermore, hay fever was treated significantly more often in subjects who suffered from concomitant food allergy.

Conclusion

Food allergy in adults is frequently reported and associated with other manifestations of atopy.