The impact of double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge (DBPCFC) on the socioeconomic cost of food allergy in Europe

Cerecedo, I., Zamora, J., Fox, M., Voordouw, J., Plana, N., Rokicka, E., Fernandez-Rivas, M., Vázquez Cortés, S., Reche, M., Fiandor, A., Kowalski, M., Antonides, G., Mugford, M., Frewer, L. J. and de la Hoz Caballer, B. (2014) The impact of double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge (DBPCFC) on the socioeconomic cost of food allergy in Europe. Journal of Investigational Allergology & Clinical Immunology, 24 (6). pp. 418-424. ISSN 1698-0808

Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)

Abstract

Background: Double-blind placebo controlled food challenge (DBPCFC) is the gold standard diagnostic test in food allergy because it minimizes diagnostic bias. Objective: To investigate the potential effect of diagnosis on the socioeconomic costs of food allergy. Methods: A prospective longitudinal cost analysis study was conducted in Spain and Poland within the EuroPrevall project. Food-allergic patients were enrolled into the study and in all cases diagnosis was confirmed through a standardized DBPCFC. Data were collected through a self-administered survey on all aspects of health and social care resource use, costs of living, and costs of leisure activities. Costs were measured before and 6 months after the DBPCFC and reported in international dollars with 2007 as the benchmark year. Results: Forty-two patients were enrolled. Twenty-one patients had a negative DBPCFC and the suspected food was reintroduced into their diet. Comparing total direct costs before and after the DBPCFC, the reactive group spent a significantly higher amount (median increase of $813.1 over baseline), while the tolerant group’s spending decreased by a median of $87.3 (P=.031). The amount of money spent on food 6 months after diagnosis was also significantly higher in the reactive group (P=.040). Finally, a larger, but not statistically significant, decrease in total indirect costs was observed in the tolerant group compared with the reactive group ($538.3 vs $32.3). Conclusion: DBPCFC has an impact on indirect and direct costs of living. The main contribution to this increase was money spent on food.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: food allergy,double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge,diagnosis,socioeconomic impact
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Rehabilitation Sciences (former - to 2014)
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
UEA Research Groups: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Health Economics
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Public Health and Health Services Research (former - to 2023)
Related URLs:
Depositing User: Pure Connector
Date Deposited: 17 Jan 2014 12:36
Last Modified: 04 Mar 2024 16:52
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/47291
DOI:

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item