Economic burden of food allergy in Canada: Estimating costs and identifying determinants.

Background: Limited data exist on the economic burden of food allergy (FA).

Objective: To assess FA-related direct (healthcare and out-of-pocket) and indirect (lost productivity) costs and their determinants in Canadian children and adults self-reporting FA.

Methods: FA-individuals self-reporting a convincing history or physician diagnosis were recruited through FA registries, an anaphylaxis registry, and advocacy associations, and electronically surveyed regarding FA-related healthcare use, out-of-pocket expenditures, and time lost from paid and unpaid labor.

Food Allergen Labeling and Purchasing Habits in the United States and Canada.

Background: Mandatory labeling of products with top allergens has improved food safety for consumers. Precautionary allergen labeling (PAL), such as "may contain" or "manufactured on shared equipment," are voluntarily placed by the food industry.

Objective: To establish knowledge of PAL and its impact on purchasing habits by food-allergic consumers in North America.

Evaluating a handbook for parents of children with food allergy: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Educational materials are needed to support parent management of and coping with childhood food allergy.

Objectives: To evaluate whether a food allergy handbook can improve parental knowledge, confidence, and quality of life associated with the management of food allergy.

Methods: Participants included 153 parents of children diagnosed as having food allergy within the past 12 months who were recruited from hospital-based allergy clinics and food allergy organizations.

Accidental exposures to peanut in a large cohort of Canadian children with peanut allergy.

Background: We previously estimated that the annual rate of accidental exposure to peanut in 1411 children with peanut allergy, followed for 2227 patient-years, was 11.9% (95% CI, 10.6, 13.

Anaphylaxis-related deaths in Ontario: a retrospective review of cases from 1986 to 2011.

Background: Examining deaths caused by anaphylaxis may help identify factors that may decrease the risk of these unfortunate events. However, information on fatal anaphylaxis is limited. The objectives of our study were to examine all cases of fatal anaphylaxis in Ontario to determine cause of death, associated features, co factors and trends in mortality.

Experiencing a first food allergic reaction: a survey of parent and caregiver perspectives.

Background: Insufficient knowledge of food allergy and anaphylaxis has been identified by caregivers as an important barrier to coping, and a potential cause of fear and anxiety, particularly for those with children newly diagnosed with food allergy. The purpose of the study was to better understand the experiences of caregivers of children with a first allergic reaction to food, and to identify any deficiencies in the information received at diagnosis.

Methods: A mixed-methods study consisting of an online survey administered to the Anaphylaxis Canada online registry (a patient support group database of approximately 10,000 members), and a follow-up qualitative interview with a subset of survey participants.

Inadvertent exposures in children with peanut allergy.

Objectives: To determine the annual incidence, characterize the severity and management, and identify predictors of accidental exposure among a cohort of children with peanut allergy.

Methods: From 2004 to November 2009, parents of Canadian children with a physician-confirmed peanut allergy completed entry and follow-up questionnaires about accidental exposures over the preceding year. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine potential predictors.

Illustrating risk: anaphylaxis through the eyes of the food-allergic child.

The risk perception research is widely focused on children as targets of risk. To date, very few studies have consulted with the impacted group to assess the perceptions of risk associated with the exposures of interest. Much less research has investigated the experiences of children at risk for anaphylaxis, their concerns, and the psychosocial stresses associated with risk.

Establishing the diagnosis of peanut allergy in children never exposed to peanut or with an uncertain history: a cross-Canada study.

The diagnosis of peanut allergy (PA) can be complex especially in children never exposed to peanut or with an uncertain history. The aim of the study is to determine which diagnostic algorithms are used by Canadian allergists in such children. Children 1-17 yrs old never exposed to peanut or with an uncertain history having an allergist-confirmed diagnosis of PA were recruited from the Montreal Children's Hospital (MCH) and allergy advocacy organizations.

Role of food labels in accidental exposures in food-allergic individuals in Canada.

Background: Little is known about the impact of food labeling on the allergic consumer.

Objective: To determine the proportion of food-allergic individuals attributing an accidental exposure to inappropriate labeling, failure to read a food label, or ignoring a precautionary statement and to identify factors associated with accidental exposures.

Methods: Food-allergic individuals or their caregivers were recruited from a Canadian registry of individuals with a physician-confirmed diagnosis of peanut allergy and from allergy awareness organizations.