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Multiple factors affected QOL in caregivers of children with food allergies

Age at reaction, income, food allergen, anaphylaxis and reaction perception were among the factors that impacted the quality of life in caregivers of children with food allergies, according to recent study results.

Researchers used a questionnaire to survey caregivers of 305 children (median age at survey, 6.6 years; 62.3% male) with allergies to milk (n=82), peanut (n=75), egg (n=62) or tree nut (n=86). The questionnaire assessed details of the children’s most severe food reaction and the caregivers’ quality of life (QOL) using the Food Allergy Quality of Life-Parental Burden index.

Sixty-five percent of respondents had an accurate perception of their child’s food reaction, and this was greater in caregivers of children with clinically confirmed anaphylaxis (56.3% vs. 43.7%; P=.008). Total and independent domain specific mean QOL scores of 17 measured factors were higher in milk and egg allergies than peanut or tree nut allergies (2.24 vs. 1.56; P<.0001).

In a linear regression model, egg allergy, age at the most severe reaction (–0.02; P=.01), peanut or tree nut allergy (–0.81; P=.004), milk allergy (–1.12; P=.001), income greater than $50,000 (–0.53; P=.04), more than one food allergy (0.45; P=.007), accurate reaction perception (–0.37; P=.04), eczema (0.49; P=.004) and caregiver-reported anaphylaxis (0.48; P=.02) were associated with total QOL score.

“Caregiver food allergy QOL is dependent on several key factors, in particular an accurate perception of reaction severity, the number of allergens, and the type of food allergen,” the researchers concluded. “Specific efforts may be required for caregivers of egg- or milk-allergic [children] because these allergens may be associated with worse QOL than others.”

Laura Howe

“It’s assumed peanut and tree allergies are the most severe, and therefore it may be presumed they would cause the most strain for caregivers,” researcher Laura Howe, MD, said in a press release. “But because eggs and mild are everywhere, and used to prepare so many dishes, caregivers with children allergic to those two ingredients feel more worried and anxious.”

Disclosure: See the study for a full list of relevant financial disclosures.