J Agric Med Community Health.  2014 Mar;39(1):14-24.

An Analysis on Prevalence and Allergen of Food Allergies

• Lee KH

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of food allergies and find out food allergens.
METHODS
Questionnaires were completed by 2,415 subjects in D city, among whom 452 subjects believed that they had food allergy. Skin prick tests were performed on these subjects. The data were analyzed using SAS Version 9.0 and chi2-test. In addition, several recent studies were reviewed.
RESULTS
The prevalence rate of food allergic symptoms was 25.6% in males and 25.8% in females, respectively. The positive rate of skin prick tests among those who were allergic to any of 14 food items was 21.4% in males and 14.7% in females(p=0.018). Therefore, it was estimated that the prevalence rate of food allergy was 5.0% in males and 3.6% in females. It was shown that the major food allergens were hop, shrimp, lobster, oyster and egg(whole) in males, and egg(whole), hop, oyster, and pork in females, respectively. The prevalence in recent studies ranged from 1 to 35%. Major food allergens were milk, egg, nuts, fish, shellfish crustacean and fruits/vegetables.
CONCLUSIONS
In order to provide effective care for food allergy, it is essential to find out the prevalence of food allergies and food allergens.

Keyword

Food allergy; Prevalence; Allergen; Positive rate