APPEAL‐1: A multiple country European survey assessing the psychosocial impact of peanut allergy

[Swissallergy]

“ABSTRACT Background
Peanut allergy (PA) is a common, potentially life‐threatening, and typically lifelong condition with a significant burden of illness. However, information is lacking on how persons with PA (PwPA) and their caregivers perceive the psychosocial impact of living with PA. The Allergy to Peanuts imPacting Emotions And Life study 1 (APPEAL‐1) survey, conducted across Europe, investigated the experience and impact of living with PA. Here, we report data evaluating the psychosocial impact of PA on PwPA and their caregivers.

Methods
APPEAL‐1 was an online survey conducted in 8 European countries. Representatives of 8 patient advocacy groups and 5 healthcare‐research specialists developed the survey. Eligible respondent groups included: adults diagnosed with PA (self‐report); parent/nonparent caregivers (proxy‐report for a child with PA); and parent/nonparent caregivers (self‐report of PA impact on themselves).

Results
Of 1846 total study respondents, 419 were adults with PA (self‐report); 546 were parents/ caregivers (proxy‐report) ; 881 were parents/caregivers (self‐report). Most respondents reported lifestyle restrictions regarding food (84‐93%) and additional domains including parties and socializing, holiday activities and destinations, and taking public transport (53‐89%). Approximately 40% rated themselves as “very” frustrated and “very” stressed. Two‐thirds (65%) felt socially isolated; 43% were bullied. Less than half felt confident in knowing when to use an adrenaline autoinjector. Several intercountry differences were observed such as high levels of uncertainty and stress in respondents from Ireland, highest rates of anxiety in respondents from Germany, and social exclusion and isolation most common in respondents from France.

Conclusions
PA imposes an adverse psychosocial impact on patients and caregivers, leading to frustration, stress, and isolation. Attention to the impact of PA is needed in research and clinical practice to improve PA healthcare and public education programs.
Full article: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/all.14363

[Auteur]

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