Food allergy in adults: substantial variation in prevalence and causative foods across Europe

Abstract Background The EuroPrevall study showed that prevalence of self-reported food allergy (FA) in adults across Europe ranged from 2-37% for any food and 1-19% for 24 selected foods. Objective To determine prevalence of probable FA (symptoms plus sIgE-sensitisation) and challenge-confirmed FA in European adults, along with symptoms and causative foods. Methods In phase I of the EuroPrevall project, a screening questionnaire was sent to a random sample of the general adult population in eight European centres. Phase II consisted of an extensive questionnaire on reactions to 24 pre-selected commonly implicated foods, and measurement of sIgE. Multiple imputation was performed performed to estimate missing symptom and serology information for non-responders. In the final phase, subjects with probable FA were invited for double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge. Results Prevalence of probable FA in adults in Athens, Reykjavik, Utrecht, Lodz, Madrid and Zurich was respectively 0.3%, 1.4%, 2.1%, 2.8%, 3.3% and 5.6%. Oral allergy symptoms were reported most frequently (81.6%), followed by skin symptoms (38.2%) and rhino-conjunctivitis (29.5%). Hazelnut, peach and apple were the most common causative foods in Lodz, Utrecht and Zurich. Peach was also among the top three causative foods in Athens and Madrid. Shrimp and fish allergies were relatively common in Madrid and Reykjavik. Of the 55 food challenges performed, 72.8% was classified as positive. Conclusion Food allergy shows substantial geographical variation in prevalence and causative foods across Europe. Although probable FA is less common than self-reported FA, prevalence still reaches 6% in parts of Europe.