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Health-related quality of life in food allergy

Impact, correlates, and predictors

Gesundheitsbezogene Lebensqualität bei Lebensmittelallergie

Wirkung, Korrelate und Prädiktoren

  • Leitthema
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Bundesgesundheitsblatt - Gesundheitsforschung - Gesundheitsschutz Aims and scope

Abstract

In food allergy, since the likelihood of a fatal reaction is low but fear, uncertainty, and lifestyle restrictions high, health-related quality of life (HRQL) may be a more meaningful measure of outcome in research and practice. HRQL is influenced by physiological, psychological, and environmental variables and can be best understood by considering the interactions of factors that cut across multiple levels. In this article we review both quantitative and qualitative research findings to provide an in-depth picture of the impact of food allergy on the concerns and the everyday lives of children, teens, adults, and parents. Research on factors that are related to, and impact on, HRQL is also discussed. We conclude by exploring some methodological and design issues in relation to the measurement of HRQL in food allergy and offer some recommendations for research and practice.

Zusammenfassung

Bei Lebensmittelallergien dürfte die gesundheitsbezogene Lebensqualität (health-related quality of life; HRQL) in Forschung und Praxis eine aussagekräftigere Ergebnisgröße darstellen, da die Wahrscheinlichkeit einer tödlichen Reaktion niedrig ist, aber Angst, Unsicherheit und Einschränkungen in der Lebensführung groß sind. HRQL wird von physiologischen, psychologischen und Umfeldfaktoren beeinflusst und lässt sich am besten verstehen, wenn das Zusammenwirken von ebenenübergreifenden Faktoren betrachtet wird. In diesem Artikel präsentieren wir sowohl quantitative als auch qualitative Forschungsergebnisse, um eine eingehende Darstellung der Wirkung von Lebensmittelallergien auf die Sorgen und den Alltag von Kindern, Jugendlichen, Erwachsenen und Eltern liefern zu können. Forschung zu Faktoren, die mit HRQL in Zusammenhang stehen und diese beeinflussen, wird ebenfalls diskutiert. Wir schließen mit der Untersuchung von methodologischen und Designfragen in Verbindung mit der Messung von HRQL bei Lebensmittelallergien und geben Empfehlungen für Forschung und Praxis ab.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Applied Psychology, University College Cork, College Road, Cork City, Ireland

    A. Dunn Galvin

  2. Department of Paediatrics & Child Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland

    A. Dunn Galvin & J. O’B. Hourihane

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  1. A. Dunn Galvin
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  2. J. O’B. Hourihane
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Correspondence to A. Dunn Galvin.

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A.D. Galvin and J. O’B. Hourihane state that there are no conflicts of interest.

The accompanying manuscript does not include studies on humans or animals.

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Dunn Galvin, A., Hourihane, J.O. Health-related quality of life in food allergy. Bundesgesundheitsbl 59, 841–848 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00103-016-2368-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00103-016-2368-x

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