Nicolaou Stella A, Pham Alisa Thuy Anh, Alexandrou Afroditi, Andreou Elena, Papanastasiou Elena C, Nicolaou Nicolaos
Department of Life Sciences, School of Life and Health Sciences, University of Nicosia, 2417 Nicosia, Cyprus.
Department of Basic and Clinical Sciences, University of Nicosia Medical School, University of Nicosia, 2408 Nicosia, Cyprus.
Nutrients. 2025 Jun 18;17(12):2028. doi: 10.3390/nu17122028.
: Food allergy (FA) is an increasing global concern, yet its prevalence, characteristics, and management vary across populations. Country-specific differences have also been observed in the health-related quality of life (HRQL) of patients with FAs. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and characteristics of FAs among Cypriot adults, aged 18-39 years, and explore its effects on HRQL. : A total of 939 randomly selected adults attending universities and colleges across Cyprus completed a questionnaire on demographics and allergy status. Those reporting FA ( = 67, 7.1%) completed the Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire-Adult Form (FAQLQ-AF). The results were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. : Fruits/vegetables (40.5%) and seafood (12.6%) were the most common allergens, and 34.3% of participants reported multiple food allergies. Most participants (94%) experienced symptoms within two hours of allergen exposure, yet only 1.5% carried an epinephrine auto-injector, raising concerns regarding access to allergists or the confirmation of IgE-mediated FA. The mean FAQLQ-AF score was 3.32 ± 0.5 (on a scale of 1-7), indicating mild overall impairment. HRQL impairment was greatest in the Food Allergy-Related Health (FAH) domain and lowest in the Avoidance and Dietary Restrictions (AADR) domain, with participants with multiple allergies, concomitant allergic conditions, or severe symptoms reporting the greatest impacts. : FA is the most commonly reported allergic disease amongst Cypriot adults and significantly affects their HRQL. The limited confirmation of FA diagnoses through objective methods and the inadequate management of such conditions highlight the need for improved education and access to allergy care for both healthcare providers and patients.
食物过敏（FA）是一个日益受到全球关注的问题，但其在不同人群中的患病率、特征和管理方式存在差异。在食物过敏患者的健康相关生活质量（HRQL）方面，也观察到了国家层面的差异。本研究旨在确定18至39岁塞浦路斯成年人中食物过敏的患病率和特征，并探讨其对健康相关生活质量的影响。
共有939名随机挑选的塞浦路斯各地大专院校成年人完成了一份关于人口统计学和过敏状况的问卷。报告有食物过敏的人（n = 67，7.1%）完成了《食物过敏生活质量问卷 - 成人版》（FAQLQ - AF）。使用描述性和推断性统计方法对结果进行分析。
水果/蔬菜（40.5%）和海鲜（12.6%）是最常见的过敏原，34.3%的参与者报告有多种食物过敏。大多数参与者（94%）在接触过敏原后两小时内出现症状，但只有1.5%的人携带肾上腺素自动注射器，这引发了对能否看过敏专科医生或确认IgE介导的食物过敏的担忧。FAQLQ - AF的平均得分为3.32 ± 0.5（范围为1 - 7），表明总体有轻度损害。健康相关生活质量损害在食物过敏相关健康（FAH）领域最大，在避免和饮食限制（AADR）领域最小，有多种过敏、合并过敏状况或严重症状的参与者报告的影响最大。
食物过敏是塞浦路斯成年人中报告最多的过敏性疾病，对他们的健康相关生活质量有显著影响。通过客观方法对食物过敏诊断的确认有限以及对此类病症的管理不足，凸显了医疗服务提供者和患者都需要改善教育并获得过敏护理服务。
