The psychological burden of peanut allergy as perceived by adults with peanut allergy and the parents of peanut-allergic children

Background Peanut-allergic patients are affected by a condition which force s them and their families to exercise extreme dietary vigilance and experie nce constant uncertainty throughout their lives. Objective To compare the quality of life and family relations of children a nd adults with a peanut allergy to that of children and adults with a rheum atological disease. Methods Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of peanut allergy or a rheumato logical disease completed (for children less than 18 years, by proxy) self- report questionnaires regarding the impact of their condition on their qual ity of life and family relations. A vertical visual analogue scale and the Impact on Family Questionnaire (IFQ) served as outcome measures. Results One hundred and fifty-three peanut-allergic children were compared with 69 children with a rheumatological disease while 37 peanut-allergic ad ults were compared with 42 adults with a rheumatological disease. The paren ts of peanut-allergic children, compared to the parents of children with a rheumatological disease, reported that their children had significantly mor e disruption in their daily activities. Furthermore, the parents of peanut- allergic children reported more impairment in the familial-social dimension of the IFQ. Conversely, adults with a chronic rheumatological disease repo rted more disruption in their family relations than peanut-allergic adults. Conclusion Given the considerable disruption in daily activities and family relations reported by the parents of peanut-allergic children, accurate di agnosis of peanut allergy is essential. Our work should make health care pr ofessionals dealing with children with confirmed peanut allergy more aware of the support that these families may require. Furthermore, we hope to mot ivate food industries to offer more 'peanut free' products to decrease the dietary restrictions of these patients while minimizing their potential for accidental ingestion.