Importance of food allergy and food intolerance in allergic multimorbidity

Abstract

Introduction. Allergy affects approximately one-third of the world's population, and the rates are growing. In Europe, it has been noticed that the risk of asthma and allergy is lower in the rural as opposed to urban population. There is a tendency for several allergic diseases to be present in the same person at the same time. Objective. The aim of the study was to verify the co-occurrence of allergic multimorbidity and food allergy and intolerance in a group of children. Materials and method. The multicentre cross-sectional study enrolled 1,008 children and adolescence aged 6-18 years (51.2% boys, 48.8% girls). The study comprised a questionnaire (respondents' declarations) and an outpatient examination (diagnostic examination followed by a medical diagnosis). The study was conducted as part of the 2016-2020 National Health Programme. Results. In the study group, allergic rhinitis (AR) was present in 46.4%, bronchial asthma (BA) in 11.2% and atopic dermatitis (AD) in 6%. Allergic multimorbidity (simultaneous presence of 2 or more of the allergic diseases AR, BA and AD) was diagnosed in 9.7%. A single allergic disease (of the 3) was diagnosed in 43.4%. A diagnosis of food allergy and food intolerance was reported respectively at 29.6% and 14.3% participants with doctor-diagnosed allergic multimorbidity. Among those without any of the 3 allergic diseases, the percentage were 14.4% and 9.1%, respectively. Conclusions. Food allergy or food intolerance was more common in subjects with allergic multimorbidity than in subjects diagnosed with one allergic disease or those free of allergic diseases.

Food Allergies in Respiratory Sensitization

“…In the epidemiological study, allergic rhinitis occurred in 46.4%, asthma was in 11.2 %, and allergic multimorbidity was diagnosed in 9.7% compared with a single allergic disease in 43.4%. The current study's findings indicated an association between food allergies and the presence of at least one allergic disease [43].…”

Allergic multimorbidity is associated with self‐reported anaphylaxis in adults—A cross‐sectional questionnaire study

“…Allergic multimorbidity studies including FA are lacking. However, a Polish multicentre cross‐sectional study on children and adolescents (age range 6–18 years) reported that FA is more frequent in children with allergy multimorbidity (other variables: AS, AD, AR) than those with one allergic disease 29 . In addition, multimorbidity in early life and food‐related symptoms in later life have been indicated to have a strong association.…”

“…The Finnish Medical Foundation; The Research Foundation of the Pulmonary Diseases; The Finnish National Allergy Programme; The Ida-Montini Foundation; The Research Foundation of Väinö and Laina Kivi; The Association of Finnish Pharmacies; The Foundation of the Finnish Anti-Tuberculosis Association; The Finnish Society of Allergology and Immunology reported that FA is more frequent in children with allergy multimorbidity (other variables: AS, AD, AR) than those with one allergic disease. 29 In addition, multimorbidity in early life and food-related symptoms in later life have been indicated to have a strong association. Adolescents with anaphylaxis have more frequently exhibited polysensitization, including for example, several foods and nut storage proteins when compared with adolescents without anaphylaxis.…”

Advances in the Study of the Mechanism by Which Selenium and Selenoproteins Boost Immunity to Prevent Food Allergies

“…The mechanism of immune oral tolerance has not been elucidated, but it is clear that it may be disrupted in multiple stages. When enzymatic disruption of conformational epitopes in potential food allergens is reduced, epithelial cells secrete inflammatory cytokines such as IL-25 and IL-33 to inhibit IL-12 production [ 5 , 59 ]. In this condition, DCs and other antigen-presenting cells are activated and transformed into a functional pro-inflammatory phenotype.…”