Matthew J Greenhawt1, Andrew M Singer, Alan P Baptist. 1. Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of Michigan Health Systems, Ann Arbor, Mich 48106, USA. mgreenha@med.umich.edu
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Little information is known about food allergy among college students. OBJECTIVE: We sought to assess food allergy trends and behavioral attitudes on a large university campus. METHODS: An online survey was distributed by e-mail to local university undergraduate students. Symptom severity was determined based on previously published criteria for anaphylaxis. RESULTS: A total of 513 individuals responded, with 57% reporting an allergic reaction to food. Of this group, 36.2% reported symptoms consistent with anaphylaxis, and these reactions frequently occurred while enrolled. Allergy to milk (P = .032), tree nut (P < .0001), shellfish (P < .0001), and peanut (P < .0001) was significantly associated with having symptoms of anaphylaxis. Some form of emergency medication was reportedly maintained in 47.7%, including self-injectable epinephrine (SIE; 21%), although only 6.6% reported always carrying this device. Medication maintenance was significantly lower among students who had not had a reaction while enrolled (P < .0001). Only 39.7% reported always avoiding foods to which they were allergic. Within the group that reported intentionally consuming known allergens, there were significantly lower numbers of individuals who reported carrying SIE (P < .0001) and significantly higher numbers of individuals with a history of a reaction that had not resulted in symptoms of anaphylaxis (P = .026). CONCLUSION: Potentially life-threatening anaphylactic reactions to foods are occurring on college campuses. Only 39.7% of students with food allergy avoided a self-identified food allergen, and more than three fourths did not maintain SIE. Such behaviors might place these students at increased risk for adverse events.
BACKGROUND: Little information is known about food allergy among college students. OBJECTIVE: We sought to assess food allergy trends and behavioral attitudes on a large university campus. METHODS: An online survey was distributed by e-mail to local university undergraduate students. Symptom severity was determined based on previously published criteria for anaphylaxis. RESULTS: A total of 513 individuals responded, with 57% reporting an allergic reaction to food. Of this group, 36.2% reported symptoms consistent with anaphylaxis, and these reactions frequently occurred while enrolled. Allergy to milk (P = .032), tree nut (P < .0001), shellfish (P < .0001), and peanut (P < .0001) was significantly associated with having symptoms of anaphylaxis. Some form of emergency medication was reportedly maintained in 47.7%, including self-injectable epinephrine (SIE; 21%), although only 6.6% reported always carrying this device. Medication maintenance was significantly lower among students who had not had a reaction while enrolled (P < .0001). Only 39.7% reported always avoiding foods to which they were allergic. Within the group that reported intentionally consuming known allergens, there were significantly lower numbers of individuals who reported carrying SIE (P < .0001) and significantly higher numbers of individuals with a history of a reaction that had not resulted in symptoms of anaphylaxis (P = .026). CONCLUSION: Potentially life-threatening anaphylactic reactions to foods are occurring on college campuses. Only 39.7% of students with food allergy avoided a self-identified food allergen, and more than three fourths did not maintain SIE. Such behaviors might place these students at increased risk for adverse events.
Authors: Joshua A Boyce; Amal Assa'ad; A Wesley Burks; Stacie M Jones; Hugh A Sampson; Robert A Wood; Marshall Plaut; Susan F Cooper; Matthew J Fenton; S Hasan Arshad; Sami L Bahna; Lisa A Beck; Carol Byrd-Bredbenner; Carlos A Camargo; Lawrence Eichenfield; Glenn T Furuta; Jon M Hanifin; Carol Jones; Monica Kraft; Bruce D Levy; Phil Lieberman; Stefano Luccioli; Kathleen M McCall; Lynda C Schneider; Ronald A Simon; F Estelle R Simons; Stephen J Teach; Barbara P Yawn; Julie M Schwaninger Journal: J Allergy Clin Immunol Date: 2010-12 Impact factor: 10.793