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Prevalence of self-reported seafood allergy in the US
S100 Abstracts
SATURDAY
299
Prevalence of Self-Reported Seafood Allergy in the US
A. Muñoz-Furlong1, H. A. Sampson2, S. H. Sicherer2; 1The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, Fairfax, VA, 2Pediatrics, Mt Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY. RATIONALE: To determine the prevalence of self-reported allergy to fish and shellfish in the US. METHODS: Nationwide, cross-sectional, random sample telephone survey using a standardized questionnaire and predetermined criteria to indicate seafood allergy. RESULTS: A total of 5,529 households completed the interview (participation rate 67%, census of 14,948 persons). Applying criteria for “report of convincing symptom histories” (e.g., typical allergic symptoms, timing with exposure, treatments) and/or physician-diagnosed allergy, the overall prevalence of seafood allergy was the following: fish (e.g., fin fish) 0.4%, shellfish (including crustaceae, mollusks, bivalves) 2.0%, both fish and shellfish, 0.2% (any seafood allergy-2.3% [95% CI, 2.0-2.5]). Allergy to some type of seafood was reported for 0.6% of children under age 18 years and 2.8% of adults. Report of a physician diagnosis was given by 50% with fish and 35% with shellfish allergy; in 28% of fish and 21% of shellfish allergy, the physician diagnosis included allergy tests (positive). Multiple reactions were reported by 53% for fish and 57% for shellfish allergy. Medical care was sought by 55% with fish (26% overall received epinephrine) and 40% with shellfish (15% received epinephrine) reactions. The most common offending foods were salmon, tuna and halibut among fish, and shrimp, crab and lobster among shellfish/bivalves/mollusks. CONCLUSIONS: Self reported, physician diagnosed and/or convincing allergy to seafood is reported by 2.3% of the general population, or an estimated 6.5 million Americans. Funding: Food Allergy Initiative
J ALLERGY CLIN IMMUNOL FEBRUARY 2004
SATURDAY
299
Prevalence of Self-Reported Seafood Allergy in the US
A. Muñoz-Furlong1, H. A. Sampson2, S. H. Sicherer2; 1The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, Fairfax, VA, 2Pediatrics, Mt Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY. RATIONALE: To determine the prevalence of self-reported allergy to fish and shellfish in the US. METHODS: Nationwide, cross-sectional, random sample telephone survey using a standardized questionnaire and predetermined criteria to indicate seafood allergy. RESULTS: A total of 5,529 households completed the interview (participation rate 67%, census of 14,948 persons). Applying criteria for “report of convincing symptom histories” (e.g., typical allergic symptoms, timing with exposure, treatments) and/or physician-diagnosed allergy, the overall prevalence of seafood allergy was the following: fish (e.g., fin fish) 0.4%, shellfish (including crustaceae, mollusks, bivalves) 2.0%, both fish and shellfish, 0.2% (any seafood allergy-2.3% [95% CI, 2.0-2.5]). Allergy to some type of seafood was reported for 0.6% of children under age 18 years and 2.8% of adults. Report of a physician diagnosis was given by 50% with fish and 35% with shellfish allergy; in 28% of fish and 21% of shellfish allergy, the physician diagnosis included allergy tests (positive). Multiple reactions were reported by 53% for fish and 57% for shellfish allergy. Medical care was sought by 55% with fish (26% overall received epinephrine) and 40% with shellfish (15% received epinephrine) reactions. The most common offending foods were salmon, tuna and halibut among fish, and shrimp, crab and lobster among shellfish/bivalves/mollusks. CONCLUSIONS: Self reported, physician diagnosed and/or convincing allergy to seafood is reported by 2.3% of the general population, or an estimated 6.5 million Americans. Funding: Food Allergy Initiative
J ALLERGY CLIN IMMUNOL FEBRUARY 2004