Common Methodologies in the Evaluation of Food All

Authors: Shangan Shu Christopher Chang Patrick S C Leung

Publish Date: 2012/11/23

Volume: 46, Issue: 3, Pages: 198-210

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Abstract

Global and regional studies on the prevalence of food allergies are plagued by inconsistent methodologies variations in interpretation of results and nonstandardized study design Hence it becomes difficult to compare the prevalence of food allergies in different communities This information would be useful in providing critical data that will enhance research to elucidate the nature of food allergies and the role of gene–environment interactions in the sensitization of children and adults to foods Testing methodologies range from questionnaires to objective in vitro and in vivo testing to the gold standard doubleblind placebocontrolled food challenge DBPCFC Although considered the most accurate and reliable method in detecting the prevalence of food allergy DBPCFC is not always practical in epidemiological studies of food allergy On the other hand multiple logistic regression studies have been done to determine predictability of the outcome of food challenges and it appears that skin prick testing and in vitrospecific serum IgE are the best predictors Future studies directed towards confirming the validity of these methods as well as developing algorithms to predict the food challenge outcomes are required as they may someday become accessory tools to complement DBPCFC

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