2022 Volume 36 Issue 1 Pages 101-113
[Introduction] There are few reports on the long-term changes in anxiety and the burden regarding the avoidance of antigens due to food allergies and the burden of treatment of oral immunotherapy.
[Method] An annual questionnaire survey was conducted for 45 children with food allergies (egg, n=21; milk, n=10; and wheat, n=14) and their parents who underwent rush oral immunotherapy at Aichi Children's Health and Medical Center.
[Results] Before the immunotherapy, 90% of parents felt a burden when choosing restaurants and anxiety regarding anaphylaxis, and 90% of children felt a burden from food avoidance. Although burdens related to avoidance gradually improved after oral immunotherapy, persistent exercise-induced allergic reactions and the presence of other food allergies were associated with difficulty in improving them. The burden of oral immunotherapy itself was larger and gradually improved in parents, but did not improve in children.
[Conclusion] We should provide children and their parents with sufficient information regarding the burdens that may persist, even after oral immunotherapy. The shared decision making of parents and the strong willness of children are essential for oral immunotherapy.
