Asthma induced by alcoholic drinks: a new food allergy questionnaire

Objective: Asthmatic reactions to foods and drinks are a significant health problem in the community, however, the true extent of this problem is uncl ear. In this study, a new food allergy questionnaire (FAO) was designed to specifically investigate the prevalence and characteristics of asthmatic re actions triggered by alcoholic drinks, as well as other foods and chemicals . The questionnaire's validity and reliability were assessed by comparing r espondents' answers with data from clinical interview and repeat applicatio n. Methods: Twenty consecutive outpatients attending a Hospital Asthma Clinic completed the FAQ and subsequently were interviewed independently by their respiratory physician. The FAQ's ability to classify the asthma severity an d atopic status of respondents, and to identify those asthmatics sensitive to alcoholic drinks, sulphite-containing foods and aspirin was assessed by comparison with clinical interview. The questionnaire's reliability was ass essed in a separate and diverse community group of 20 asthmatic volunteers using the test-retest method. Results: Responses to the FAQ were found to correlate highly with assessmen t by clinical interview for all of the parameters assessed. Specifically, t he FAQ identified reactions to alcoholic drinks with a coefficient of agree ment of 88.9%, a sensitivity of 100%, and a specificity of 83.3%. Responses to the FAQ were also found to be reproducible for all of the parameters as sessed. Conclusion and implications: The FAQ is a useful and reliable tool for asse ssing the sensitivity of asthmatics to alcoholic drinks and various foods a nd chemicals, and provides a means to collect data relating to the prevalen ce and characteristics of these responses in community-based populations.