Allergy Unit, 2nd Department Dermatology and Venereology, 'Attikon' University Hospital, Medical School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2013 May;27(5):558-64. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2012.04482.x. Epub 2012 Feb 21.
Food allergy (FA) represents a common and worldwide disorder but in publications referring to FA the reported diagnosis is rarely confirmed. Consequently, the subjectively assessed FA may negatively affect the quality of life of patients and their families.
We have conducted this internet survey in order to estimate the self-reported perception of FA in Greece.
A standard anonymous questionnaire was posted for a 3-month period on http://www.in.gr, a Greek popular Internet portal. Each individual could participate only once. Participants were screened for the presence or history of FA by a key question and were then asked to provide information on symptoms, course and management.
A total of 3673 adult subjects (mean age 34.2 years, range 18-74, females 61.3%), reporting FA were included in analysis. Most reported reactions were related to fruits (14.9%), seafood (10.7%) and nuts (9.2%). The first episode occurred principally during the second (29.2%) and third (30.9%) decade within 3 h from consumption (82.2%). Predominant symptoms were urticaria and oral allergy syndrome (almost 25% each one). Nearly half of the participants sought no medical advice, while 31.4% asked for an allergist's consultation. Almost 21% of reactors were hospitalized; nuts, severity of symptoms (lower respiratory and/or cardiovascular), onset in lower age, previous exercise and concomitant alcohol and/or aspirin intake were positively associated with hospitalization.
Although FA causes severe anaphylactic episodes, almost 50% of individuals who experience symptoms perceived as FA do not seek medical advice. Awareness programmes must be carried out in order to increase consciousness about this potentially fatal medical condition.
食物过敏（FA）是一种常见且普遍的疾病，但在涉及 FA 的出版物中，报告的诊断很少得到证实。因此，主观评估的 FA 可能会对患者及其家属的生活质量产生负面影响。
我们进行了这项互联网调查，以评估希腊自我报告的 FA 感知。
在希腊广受欢迎的互联网门户 http://www.in.gr 上发布了一份标准的匿名问卷，为期 3 个月。每个人只能参与一次。通过一个关键问题筛选出 FA 的存在或病史的参与者，然后要求他们提供症状、病程和管理的信息。
共有 3673 名成年受试者（平均年龄 34.2 岁，范围 18-74 岁，女性占 61.3%）被纳入分析。大多数报告的反应与水果（14.9%）、海鲜（10.7%）和坚果（9.2%）有关。首次发作主要发生在第二（29.2%）和第三（30.9%）个十年期间，从消费开始 3 小时内（82.2%）。主要症状是荨麻疹和口腔过敏综合征（各占近 25%）。近一半的参与者没有寻求医疗建议，而 31.4%的人咨询了过敏专家。近 21%的反应者住院治疗；坚果、症状严重程度（下呼吸道和/或心血管）、发病年龄较低、既往运动以及同时摄入酒精和/或阿司匹林与住院治疗呈正相关。
尽管 FA 会引起严重的过敏反应，但近 50%的出现症状但自我评估为 FA 的人没有寻求医疗建议。必须开展宣传计划，以提高对这种潜在致命医疗状况的认识。
