FACTS, Version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Food Allergy and Critical allergen Threshold Study
IRAS ID
148636
Contact name
Angela Simpson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Hospital South Manchester
Research summary
The purpose of this study is to investigate the reasons for allergic reactions to food in the community in order to understand whether these reactions are caused by: failure in food allergy management plans provided by physicians; patients and families’ lack of understanding; or failure of food manufacturing or food catering industry on allergen avoidance measures. In addition, in order to investigate how food processing affects the allergenicity of food we will assess the effect of the food matrix on the elicitation of allergic reactions in allergic individuals.
In order to understand circumstances in which accidental reactions occur in food allergic patients in the community, we have previously developed a web-based interface for reporting of food allergy reactions called AlleRiC (IRAS project ID: 130176).
The content of AlleRiC was created with the help of volunteers with food allergies who took part in focus group meetings in the UK and Ireland.1) In this study we are looking to recruit a minimum of 50 people with a food allergy to trial the AlleRiC web-based interface by entering real-time information when they experience allergic reactions (after recovering from symptoms). Participants will be asked to store a sample of culprit food which will be later analysed for suspected allergen content.Using allergic reactions reported through web-based interface, we aim to assess the relationship between reported allergic reactions to food and analysis of allergens in foods, packaging, diagnosis, treatment and allergy management plans, or psychosocial factors.
2)In a subgroup of participants who are diangosed with peanut or tree nut (e.g. hazelnut, walnut) allergy we aim to conduct oral food challenges to determine their threshold of sensitivity to the allergen. By conducting these challenges we aim to assess the effect of different food matrices on critical allergen threshold levels eliciting reaction among peanut/tree nut-allergic individuals.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/NW/0228
Date of REC Opinion
17 Apr 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion