Perspectives and gaps in the management of food allergy and anaphylaxis in the Asia-Pacific Region

Leung, Agnes Sze Yin and Pawankar, Ruby and Pacharn, Punchama and Wong, Lydia Su Yin and Le Pham, Duy and Chan, Grace and Rengganis, Iris and Zhao, Jing and Wang, Jiu Yao and Woo, Kent Chee-Keen and Ito, Komei and Jeong, Kyunguk and Recto, Marysia and Lucas, Michaela and Nagao, Mizuho and Lobo, Rommel Crisenio M. and Munkhbayarlakh, Sonomjamts and Sumadiono, Sumadiono and Huq, Syed Rezaul and Ranasinghe, Thushali and Tang, Mimi (2024) Perspectives and gaps in the management of food allergy and anaphylaxis in the Asia-Pacific Region. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: Global, 3 (2). pp. 1-7. ISSN 27728293

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Abstract

Background: Food allergy (FA), which is a condition that has no effective cure and can result in severe life-threatening allergic reactions, remains a global public health concern; however, little is known about how FAs are currently managed in the Asia-Pacific region. Objective: The main objective of this survey was to evaluate the epidemiology of FA, as well as the availability of resources and practices for management of FA and anaphylaxis by health care providers across Asia. Methods: From June 2022 to September 2022, a questionnaire-based survey comprising 66 questions was electronically sent to member societies of the Asia Pacific Association of Allergy Asthma and Clinical Immunology by using Survey Monkey. Results: A total of 20 responses were received from 15 member countries and territories. Compared with the pediatric data, there was a lack of prevalence data for FA in adults. Except for Australia and Japan, most regions had between 0.1 and 0.5 allergists per 100,000 population and some had fewer than 0.1 allergists per 100,000 population. The perceived rate of FA in regions with a short supply of allergists was high. Although specific IgE tests and oral food challenges were available in all regions, the median wait time for oral food challenges at government facilities was 37 days (interquartile range = 10.5-60 days). Seven regions still relied on prescriptions of ampules and syringes of injectable adrenaline, and adrenaline autoinjectors were not accessible in 4 regions. Oral immunotherapy as FA treatment was available in half of the surveyed countries and territories. Conclusions: Our study offers a cross-sectional evaluation of the management practices for FA in each Asia Pacific Association of Allergy Asthma and Clinical Immunology member country or territory. Urgent actions are required to enhance allergy services, improve the accessibility and affordability of adrenaline autoinjectors, and conduct robust epidemiologic studies. © 2023 The Author(s)

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: Cited by: 4; All Open Access, Gold Open Access, Green Open Access
Uncontrolled Keywords: Food allergy, anaphylaxis, allergy service, allergist
Subjects: R Medicine > RJ Pediatrics
Divisions: Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing > Public Health and Nutrition
Depositing User: Ngesti Gandini
Date Deposited: 11 Mar 2025 01:28
Last Modified: 11 Mar 2025 01:28
URI: https://ir.lib.ugm.ac.id/id/eprint/15686

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