Spectrum and frequency of food allergy in Kyiv`s adult citizens with allergic rhinitis: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Food allergy affects 1-3% of adults worldwide. More than 160 foods can cause allergic reactions. Food allergy may preceed and stimulate allergic rhinitis. Aim of the study was to assess the spectrum and frequency of sensitization to food allergens in patients with established allergic rhinitis from Kyiv, Ukraine.Methods. The investigation was conducted as a cross-sectional study. 175 Kyiv adult patients with allergic rhinitis were enrolled to the trial. Sensitization to allergens and their components was determined by skin prick tests and in vitro detection of allergen specific IgE by ELISA in serum of the blood – multicomponent Allergy Explorer2- ALEX2 test.Results. It was shown, that sensitization to following inhalant allergens was predominant: to timothy grass – in 50,3%, to ragweed - in 48,6%, to birch – in 44%, to wormwood – in 24%, to Alternaria alternatus mold – in 15,4% of patients. 131 (74,9%) participants have co-sensitization to at least one food allergen. Sensitization to following food allergens was predominant: to hazelnut – in 27,5%, to apple – in 26,3%, to peanut – in 21,7%, to celery – in 14,3%, to soy – in 13,1%, to fish carp – in 11,4%, to kiwi – in 9,1%, to crab – in 9,1%, to codfish – in 8,6%, to oyster – in 8,6%, to peach – in 8%, to lobster – in 8%, to carrot – in 7,4%, to anisakis – in 6,3%, to prawn – in 6,3%, to tiger prawn – in 5,7%, to beef – in 5,1%. It was found that the frequency of sensitization to cross-reactive proteins PR-10 was 20,5% (95% CI; 9,7%-33,9%) in patients with allergic rhinitis without food co-sensitization comparing to 51,1% (95% CI; 42,5%-59,7%) in participants with both allergic rhinitis and food co-sensitization, p<0,001; to nsLTP was 2,3% (95% CI; 0-8,9%) and 19,8% (95% CI; 13,4-27,2%), respectively, p=0,011.Conclussion. In Kyiv adult population with allergic rhinitis approximately three quarters of patients have food co-sensitization, that may be the reason of exacerbations of allergic rhinitis after consuming vegetables, fruits and nuts due to cross-reactivity with inhalant allergens, that should be considered when manage such patients.