The health and economic outcomes of early egg introduction strategies

Food allergy prevention through the decades: An ounce of humility is worth a pound of cure

Food allergy prevention has undergone a significant transformation over the past 3 decades. This review provides an overview of the evolution of food allergy prevention, highlighting changes in guidance, cost-effectiveness of prevention, the role of shared decision-making, and the emergence of oral immunotherapy for those in whom primary prevention fails. Changes to food allergy prevention over recent decades can be conceptualized into five epochs, which have followed a general trend of loosening restrictions on the allergen introduction timeline. These epochs are characterized by significant maternal and infant dietary restrictions in the "universal avoidance epoch"(-1990), loosened maternal diet restrictions in the "infant avoidance epoch" (1990-2000), a time-bound allergen introduction schedule in the "stratified avoidance epoch" (2000-2010), retraction of recommendations in the "corrective retraction epoch" (2010-2015), and endorsement of early allergen introduction in the "early introduction epoch" (2015-present), the start of which is marked by the 2015 Learning Early About Peanut study. In hindsight, it is clear that certain recommendations from previous decades were not the best course of action. A no-screening early introduction approach to food allergy prevention is both cost-effective and beneficial to patient quality of life.

Shared decision-making, communicating risk, and food allergy in 2023

Background

Across the practice of allergy and clinical immunology, disruptive innovations have accelerated the adoption of shared decision-making (SDM) to improve the health of patients and populations, particularly with regard to food allergy prevention and management of food allergy and anaphylaxis.

Methods

A narrative review was performed to describe recent innovations in shared decision-making, risk communication, and food allergy.

Results

Several challenges, primarily related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and misinformation campaigns, have catalyzed adaptations to evolve clinical care. Recent pressures have facilitated the rapid adoption of telemedicine. In 2023, many allergist/immunologists routinely incorporate both in-person and virtual visits to contextually deliver value-based care to each patient. SDM may occur in a hybrid model that incorporates both in-person and virtual encounters, with many patients experiencing benefit from a combination approach. This may be facilitated by leveraging previsit web-based SDM tools. Whether in person or by telemedicine, effective risk communication to avoid cognitive overload while appreciating population variation in numeracy is key to competent implementation of SDM. Misinformation continues to disproportionately harm patients who belong to groups that encourage denial of evidence-based medical recommendations and COVID-19 vaccination intent correlating with sociopolitical factors. Still, strategies to address misinformation that leverage empathy, respect, and expertise can help to mitigate these effects. Physician wellness is a key component to realization of the Quadruple Aim of health care, and the use of positive framing and appreciative inquiry can help to optimize outcomes and improve value in health care.

Conclusion

SDM is an important component to consider when incorporating recent innovations in allergy and clinical immunology care, particularly in the setting of contextual and conditional medical recommendations. Effective risk communication is critical to SDM that is truly reflective of patient goals and preferences, and can be facilitated through in-person encounters, telemedicine, and hybrid models. It is important to foster physician wellness as a component of the Quadruple Aim, particularly in the recent pandemic climate of misinformation and denial of evidence-based medicine within large groups of society.

Value-Based, Cost-Effective Care: The Role of the Allergist-Immunologist

Asthma and allergic disease impact millions of patients and are associated with high costs. Up to 30% of all medical care involves wasted spending. Across the spectrum of care provided by the allergist-immunologist, there are opportunities to improve value and reduce medical waste. Several examples highlight this reality. Evidence suggests that most patients may receive cost-effective care in the management of chronic spontaneous urticaria without the need for laboratory testing. For patients with asthma, although a single maintenance and reliever therapy approach may be cost-effective, insurance-mandated therapy changes are not, and may harm patients. Biologics may be very effective in improving asthma control but are too expensive for this indication-as demonstrated by cost-effectiveness analyses and highlighted by the Institute of Clinical and Economic Review, which concluded that the value-based price for asthma biologics ranges between $6500 and 14,3000 per year. Early introduction may prevent food allergy, but screening before first introduction is neither necessary nor cost-effective, although early salvage food oral immunotherapy may result in improved quality of life and cost savings. Evidence does not support the presence of allergic disease as a risk factor for anaphylaxis to coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination, and risk-stratified vaccination approaches do not appear cost-effective. Allergen immunotherapy is a very cost-effective treatment option. The practice of allergy-immunology has continued to evolve in recent years and can provide a leading example of high-value practice.

The Case for Prompt Salvage Infant Peanut Oral Immunotherapy Following Failed Primary Prevention

Recent guideline recommendations have shifted from recommending prolonged avoidance of allergenic foods in the first 3 years of life to a primary prevention approach involving the deliberate early introduction to infants at risk of developing food allergy. Despite this, some infants, especially those with severe eczema who are at highest risk for developing peanut allergy, fail to receive the preventative benefits of early peanut introduction due to hesitancy and other factors. Difficulty adhering to regular ingestion after introduction further reduces the effectiveness of primary prevention. As emerging real-world evidence has demonstrated that performing peanut oral immunotherapy (OIT) among infants is effective and safe, peanut OIT could be a treatment option for infants with peanut allergy. This review discusses the benefits, risks, and barriers to offering peanut OIT to infants who fail primary prevention strategies. We propose the novel concept that infants with peanut allergy be offered peanut OIT as soon as possible after failed peanut introduction through a shared decision-making process with the family, where there is a preference for active management rather than avoidance.

A pragmatic approach to infant feeding for food allergy prevention

Early introduction of allergenic foods into an infant's diet is currently the most promising strategy to prevent food allergy, with infant guidelines around the world shifting from promoting avoidance to actively encourage the introduction of allergenic foods in the infant diet. Infant feeding guidelines vary according to regional public health priorities, and knowledge gaps remain, resulting in ongoing challenges for clinicians and families to translate guidelines into practical strategies for the introduction of complementary foods for food allergy prevention. Evidence from Australia demonstrates high community support and uptake of revised guidelines with most parents introducing allergenic foods in the first year of life, although this has not had the expected impact on substantially reducing food allergy prevalence. To uptake of guidelines from other countries is less clear, and several barriers have been noted in infant feeding RCTs, which may warrant intervention strategies. Further research is needed to understand additional strategies for food allergy prevention, particularly in infants who develop food allergy prior to when they are developmentally ready to commence solids. Several RCTs are underway investigating preventative strategies that target the window before allergen ingestion, such as vitamin D supplementation, emollient use, and immunizations that prime the immune response away from a Th2-driven allergic phenotype. Further research is also needed to understand the role of the environment and the host environment in the development of tolerance to foods.

The Economic Burden of Food Allergy: What We Know and What We Need to Learn

Purpose of Review

Food allergy management and treatment require dietary modification, are associated with significant burdens, and affect food choices and behaviours. Emerging therapies, such as oral immunotherapy (OIT), provide a glimmer of hope for those living with the condition. Some burdens have received substantial focus, whereas many knowledge gaps on the significance of other impacts, including economic burden, remain.

Recent Findings

Evidence from many countries, but disproportionately from the United States, supports that food allergy carries significant healthcare and societal costs. Early introduction for the prevention of food allergies is theoretically cost-effective, but remains largely undescribed. Unique considerations, such as those to cow’s milk protein allergy, which affects a substantial proportion of infants, and adrenaline autoinjectors, which have a high cost-per-use, require a balance between cost-effectiveness to the healthcare system and adverse outcomes. Household costs have largely been explored in two countries, but owing to different healthcare structures and costs of living, comparisons are difficult, as are generalisations to other countries. Stock epinephrine in schools may present a cost-effective strategy, particularly in economically disadvantaged areas. Costs relating to OIT must be examined within both immediate benefits, such as protection from anaphylaxis, and long-term benefits, such as sustained unresponsiveness.

Summary

Although the absolute costs differ by region/country and type of food allergy, a consistent pattern persists: food allergy is a costly condition, to those who live with it, and the multiple stakeholders with which they interact.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40521-022-00306-5.

Cost-Effectiveness of Food Allergy Interventions in Children: A Systematic Review of Economic Evaluations

OBJECTIVES

To identify published economic evaluations of interventions aimed at preventing, diagnosing, or treating food allergies in children.

METHODS

We examined economic evaluations published from 2000 to 2019. Data analyzed included: food allergy type, study population/setting, intervention/comparator, and economic evaluation details. Quality assessment used reporting and economic modeling checklists. Two reviewers simultaneously undertook article screening, data extraction, and quality assessment.

RESULTS

17 studies were included: 8 peanut allergy (PA) studies, 8 cow's milk allergy (CMA) studies, and 1 egg allergy (EA) study. All PA studies reported incremental costs per quality-adjusted life-year gained for diagnostic strategies, management pathways for peanut exposure, and immunotherapies. Immunotherapies rendered inconsistent cost-effectiveness results. CMA studies reported costs per symptom-free day or probability of developing CMA tolerance. Cost-effectiveness of extensively hydrolyzed casein formula for CMA treatment was consistently demonstrated. Early introduction of cooked egg in first year of life dominated all EA prevention strategies. Quality assessment showed average noncompliance for 3.5 items/study (range 0-11) for modeling methods and 3.4 items/study (range 0-8) for reporting quality. Key quality concerns included limited justification for model choice, evidence base for model parameters, source of utility values, and representation of uncertainty.

CONCLUSION

Recent cost-effectiveness literature of interventions in PA, CMA, and EA is limited and diverse. Interventions for diagnosis and treatment of CMA and prevention of EA were generally cost-effective; however, results for PA were variable and dependent on effectiveness and utility values used. There is a need to expand economic evaluation of interventions for childhood food allergy and to improve methods and reporting.

The Revenge of Unintended Consequences of Anaphylaxis-Risk Overdiagnosis: How Far We Have Come and How Far We Have to Go

Overdiagnosis of anaphylaxis risk is an underappreciated aspect of anaphylaxis prevention. Whereas the benefits of anaphylaxis-risk prevention are well known, potential harms resulting from preemptive approaches to mitigate anaphylaxis-risk are not insignificant. Still, great progress has been made in recent years to avoid the unintended consequences of anaphylaxis-risk overdiagnosis. Reflection on recent advances in the use of diagnostic testing, as well as the application of diagnostic labels, provides an important perspective to understand how far the specialty of allergy and immunology has come in improving the lives of patients and families. Examples of recent paradigm shifts in anaphylaxis-risk management include approaches to peanut allergy prevention without screening, deferral of corticosteroids to prevent biphasic anaphylaxis reactions, reevaluation of reflex use of emergency medical services for resolved community anaphylaxis, and an approach to penicillin allergy delabeling with direct oral challenge. Routine medical practices to decrease anaphylaxis risk can have lifelong impacts for patients-beyond just preventing anaphylaxis. As our understanding of these trade-offs evolves, it becomes necessary to weigh both the benefits and the harms of past management approaches. Because medicine remains a science of uncertainty and an art of probability, a critical approach to risk mitigation remains necessary to find the often-elusive balance in anaphylaxis prevention.

Addressing risk management difficulties in children with food allergies

Risk is a concept inherent in every medical procedure. It can be defined as the probability of an adverse event in a defined population over a specified period of time. In the frame of food allergy management, it might be related to a diagnostic procedure, a treatment, or the consumption of foods. The risk of an adverse event can also be augmented by individual factors. This rostrum article discusses various aspects faced by children with food allergies in the light of risk, and their practical implications. Identifying personal risks for severe reaction, such as unstable asthma, and correcting them whenever possible also contribute to a reduction of the risk inherent to food allergy. Among the facets discussed, oral food challenges (OFC) are the most common diagnostic procedures implying an inherent risk. The risk of OFCs can be minimized by correct indication and timing of the test, a safe setting, as well as by ensuring that the patient is otherwise well without potential stressor potentially increasing the risk of a more severe reaction. Oral immunotherapy (OIT) has been studied as a potential treatment for increasing the threshold dose for reaction, and thus reducing the risk of accidental reaction. Nevertheless, the procedure is not devoid of risk as the patients may and do often react during the course of the procedure. Ingestion of trace amounts in processed foods, mainly in community settings such as restaurants, schools, or day care, represents a potential risk of reactions, although for a minority of patients. Precautionary allergen labeling (PAL) is a widespread strategy to reduce the potential risk of reactions due to traces. However, PAL is currently inefficient due to inconsistent labeling, also not indicating a clear maximum amount possibly present in the manufactured food. Finally, cost-effectiveness needs to be considered in risk management, as many risk reduction procedures are clearly not cost-effective.

Paediatric allergy practice in the era of coronavirus disease 2019

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To summarize the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the practice of paediatric allergy.

RECENT FINDINGS

Given significant overlap in symptoms, care must be taken to differentiate routine allergic conditions from COVID-19 infection but it appears that most allergic diseases are not risk factors for a severe COVID-19 course. The full impact of restricted allergy/immunology ambulatory services will take months to years to fully understand. One benefit of having to adapt practice style is greater awareness and acceptance of shared decision-making and recognition of preference-sensitive care options in food allergy, in particular for approaches towards allergy prevention, treatment, and anaphylaxis care. Social distancing and masks have helped reduce spread of common respiratory viruses, which may be helping to lower the incidence of viral-associated wheezing episodes, enhancing evidence of the effects of preventing exposure of young children to respiratory viruses on asthma pathogenesis, as well as on allergic rhinitis. There has been a revolution in the rise of telemedicine to increase access to high-quality allergy/immunology specialty care.

SUMMARY

Although the field has adapted to remain operational in the face of a significant challenge, it is important to apply lessons learned to evolve patient care and optimize treatment in the aftermath of the pandemic.

Development of a prediction model for infants at high risk of food allergy

Background

Identification of risk factors for food allergy (FA) in infants is an active research area. An important reason is to identify optimal target infants for early introduction of specific food antigens. Although eczema has been used for this purpose, multivariable prediction scores have not been reported.

Objective

The aim of this research is to develop a multivariable prediction score for infants at high risk of FA.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional analysis of a self-administered questionnaire for the parents of 18-month-old children at well-child visits between April 2016 and March 2017 (development dataset) and between April 2017 and March 2018 (validation dataset). We developed and validated the prediction score.

Results

The questionnaire collection rate was 18,549 of 20,198 (92%) in the development dataset and 18,620 of 19,977 (93%) in the validation dataset. Risk factors for FA were being born in August–December, first child, eczema, atopic dermatitis in father and mother, and FA in mother and sibling(s). For identifying infants with FA, the developed multivariable prediction score showed higher discrimination ability (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.75) than focusing on eczema (AUC = 0.70) in the validation dataset. The score was also useful for identifying infants with a history of anaphylaxis (AUC = 0.73) than focusing on eczema (AUC = 0.67) in the validation dataset.

Conclusion

The new prediction score enables more efficient identification of infants at high risk of FA, who may be the optimal target group for the early introduction of specific antigens.

What the COVID-19 Pandemic Can Teach Us About Resource Stewardship and Quality in Health Care

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has forever changed how we view health care service delivery. Although there are undoubtedly some unintended consequences that will result from current health care service reallocation, it provides a unique opportunity to consider how to deliver quality care currently, and after the pandemic. In the context of lessons learned, moving forward some of what was previously routine could remain reserved for more exceptional circumstances. To determine what is "routine," what is "essential," and what is "exceptional," it is necessary to view medical decisions within the paradigm of high-quality care. The Institute for Healthcare Improvement definition of the dimensions of quality is based on whether the care is safe, effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient, and equitable. This type of stewardship has been applied to many interventions already deemed unnecessary by organizations such as the Choosing Wisely initiative, but the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic provides a lens from which to consider other aspects of care. The following will provide examples from Allergy/Immunology that outline how we can reconsider what quality means in the post-coronavirus disease health care system.

An update on international practice variation in peanut introduction: conundrums, controversies, and a new direction

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Introduction of peanut during the first year of life is associated with an 81% relative risk reduction of developing peanut allergy in infants with severe eczema, egg allergy, or both. However, significant international variation exists in risk stratification prior to peanut introduction.

RECENT FINDINGS

A policy-level screening approach, such as the one in the United States, is not practical and is associated with higher costs and more cases of peanut allergy over time, in contrast to international models that recommend universal early introduction without prescreening. In Australia, population-level efforts to introduce peanut early without screening have demonstrated high rates of peanut introduction before 12 months of age and low rates of severe allergic reactions. In contrast, screening prior to peanut introduction in the United States is associated with 'screening creep' - the tendency of clinicians to test populations where screening is not recommended.

SUMMARY

Early peanut introduction can reduce the risk of developing food allergy and is more effective without a risk-based screening approach. In some circumstances, shared clinical decision-making can facilitate food allergy prevention in a manner consistent with family values and preferences.

A Consensus Approach to the Primary Prevention of Food Allergy Through Nutrition: Guidance from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology; American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology; and the Canadian Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology

Recently published data from high-impact randomized controlled trials indicate the strong potential of strategies to prevent the development of food allergy in high-risk individuals, but guidance in the United States at present is limited to a policy for only the prevention of peanut allergy, despite other data being available and several other countries advocating early egg and peanut introduction. Eczema is considered the highest risk factor for developing IgE-mediated food allergy, but children without risk factors still develop food allergy. To prevent peanut and/or egg allergy, both peanut and egg should be introduced around 6 months of life, but not before 4 months. Screening before introduction is not required, but may be preferred by some families. Other allergens should be introduced around this time as well. Upon introducing complementary foods, infants should be fed a diverse diet, because this may help foster prevention of food allergy. There is no protective benefit from the use of hydrolyzed formula in the first year of life against food allergy or food sensitization. Maternal exclusion of common allergens during pregnancy and/or lactation as a means to prevent food allergy is not recommended. Although exclusive breast-feeding is universally recommended for all mothers, there is no specific association between exclusive breast-feeding and the primary prevention of any specific food allergy.

Pros and cons of pre-emptive screening programmes before peanut introduction in infancy

Peanut allergy is an important public health concern and causes substantial psychosocial comorbidity. Although fatal anaphylaxis is rare (occurring at 0·03-0·3 per million person-years in the general population), peanuts are one of the most frequent causes of food allergy mortality. The Learning Early About Peanut study transformed prevention of peanut allergy by showing that early introduction of peanut into the diet of children at high risk (ie, those with an egg allergy or severe eczema) reduced the relative risk of peanut allergy at age 5 years by 81%. Following publication of this study, the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, convened an expert panel, which recommended that, for infants with severe eczema or egg allergy, health professionals should strongly consider evaluation with peanut-specific serological IgE or skin prick test (or both) and, if necessary, an oral food challenge before peanut introduction. In the USA, depending on test results, peanut-containing foods are recommended to be introduced from age 4-6 months in infants with severe eczema or egg allergy. Early introduction to peanuts is also advocated for children with either mild to moderate or no eczema, and in children who are not allergic to egg, but without screening before peanut introduction. However, the NIAID addendum guidelines contrast with other international approaches that do not advocate for allergy screening at a population level before introducing peanuts into infants' diets. In this Review, we evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of a pre-emptive screening approach before the early introduction of peanuts in infants at high risk of peanut allergy.

Achieving the Quadruple Aim to deliver value-based allergy care in an ever-evolving health care system

OBJECTIVE

To define the concept of value-based care in allergy, and to review challenges and opportunities in value-based health care delivery for allergists and immunologists.

DATA SOURCES

Articles describing practice variation, health care financing and reimbursement, shared decision-making, cost-effective health care delivery, patient-reported outcome measures, social determinants of health, and screening.

STUDY SELECTIONS

A narrative review detailing concepts and approaches to improve value-based health care in the context of the Quadruple Aim to address the patient and physician experience, cost, and population health.

RESULTS

Efforts to improve cost-effective care can be informed by understanding unwarranted geographic practice variation and benchmarking best practices. Although evidence suggests that shared decision-making and addressing social determinants of health have critical roles in high-quality care, some practices such as routine laboratory screening for urticaria, premedication to prevent recurrent low- or iso-osmolar contrast reactions, extended observation of resolved anaphylaxis, food allergy screening, and penicillin allergy overdiagnosis have high costs in relation to overall societal benefit. Food allergy prevention, newborn screening for severe combined immune deficiency, and penicillin delabeling are examples of population-based opportunities in which allergists and immunologists can assist in creating health care value. Although efforts to incentivize value-based care have emerged in recent years, the degree to which process measures improve patient-important outcomes remain uncertain. Clinician wellness must be made a priority for continued effective practice.

CONCLUSION

As health care systems continue to evolve, allergists and immunologists will play a key role in optimizing value by translating emerging evidence into practice and communicating novel approaches to prevent and treat allergic diseases.

Recent developments and advances in atopic dermatitis and food allergy

This review highlights recent advances in atopic dermatitis (AD) and food allergy (FA), particularly on molecular mechanisms and disease endotypes, recent developments in global strategies for the management of patients, pipeline for future treatments, primary and secondary prevention and psychosocial aspects. During the recent years, there has been major advances in personalized/precision medicine linked to better understanding of disease pathophysiology and precision treatment options of AD. A greater understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of AD through substantial progress in epidemiology, genetics, skin immunology and psychological aspects resulted in advancements in the precision management of AD. However, the implementation of precision medicine in the management of AD still requires the validation of reliable biomarkers, which will provide more tailored management, starting from prevention strategies towards targeted therapies for more severe diseases. Cutaneous exposure to food via defective barriers is an important route of sensitization to food allergens. Studies on the role of the skin barrier genes demonstrated their association with the development of IgE-mediated FA, and suggest novel prevention and treatment strategies for type 2 diseases in general because of their link to barrier defects not only in AD and FA, but also in asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis, allergic rhinitis and inflammatory bowel disease. The development of more accurate diagnostic tools, biomarkers for early prediction, and innovative solutions require a better understanding of molecular mechanisms and the pathophysiology of FA. Based on these developments, this review provides an overview of novel developments and advances in AD and FA, which are reported particularly during the last two years.

Engaging patient partners in state-of-the-art allergy care: Finding balance when discussing risk

OBJECTIVE

To review risk communication in the context of shared decision making.

DATA SOURCES

Articles describing risk communication, shared decision making, and cost-effective healthcare delivery.

STUDY SELECTIONS

A narrative review detailing approaches to improve risk communication and shared decision making to optimize patient-centered cost-effective practice.

RESULTS

Risk communication must occur on a foundation of mutual trust and can be improved by keeping risk in perspective of everyday hazards, such as using pictograms when possible, providing numeric likelihoods of risks and benefits, and discussing absolute risks. Variability in patient-perceived quality of life for allergic and nonallergic health states may affect the health and economic outcomes of many allergy therapies. Shared decision making improves patient knowledge and risk perception, engagement, and adherence. Patient decision aids can be time-consuming to develop and validate, but their use is associated with a more accurate understanding of patient-oriented outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Communicating risk is complex, and validated patient decision aids using visual aids, presenting essential information, using knowledge checks, and incorporating values clarification can reduce decisional conflict and improve decisional self-efficacy.

Food and drug allergy, and anaphylaxis in EAACI journals (2018)

The European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) supports three journals: "Allergy," "Pediatric Allergy and Immunology (PAI)," and "Clinical and Translational Allergy (CTA)." One of the major goals of EAACI is to support health promotion in which prevention of allergy and asthma plays a critical role and to disseminate the knowledge of allergy to all stakeholders including the EAACI junior members. This paper summarizes the achievements of 2018 in anaphylaxis, and food and drug allergy. Main topics that have been focused are anaphylaxis, mechanisms of food allergy (FA), epidemiology of FA, food allergens, diagnosis of FA, prevention and control of FA, FA immunotherapy, drug allergy, and political agenda.

Earlier ingestion of peanut after changes to infant feeding guidelines: The EarlyNuts study

BACKGROUND

Randomized controlled trials demonstrate that timely introduction of peanut to infants reduces the risk of peanut allergy. However, much debate remains regarding how to best achieve earlier peanut introduction at the population level. Our previous study in 2007-2011 (HealthNuts, n = 5300) indicated that few infants were consuming peanut in the first year. Australian infant feeding guidelines were updated in 2016 to recommend introducing peanut before 12 months for all infants. There were no data available on the subsequent effect on peanut introduction or peanut reactions.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to assess the consequences of a nonscreening approach to allergenic food introduction in a population-based sample of infants in their first year of life.

METHODS

EarlyNuts is a population-based, cross-sectional study of 12-month-old infants in Melbourne, Australia, recruited by using an identical sampling frame and methods to HealthNuts (72% response rate vs 73% response rate in HealthNuts). We report here on the first 860 participants recruited between November 2016 and October 2018.

RESULTS

Most infants (88.6%; 95% CI, 86.1% to 90.7%) had introduced peanut by 12 months (median age, 6 months), an increase from 28.4% (95% CI, 27.2% to 29.7%) in the HealthNuts study. By 12 months, the majority of these (76.4%) had consumed peanut more than 4 times, and 28% were eating peanut more than once per week. Preliminary results on parent-reported reactions show that 4.0% of those consuming peanut by 12 months had possible IgE-mediated reactions.

CONCLUSIONS

There has been a striking shift toward earlier peanut introduction, with a 3-fold increase in peanut introduction by age 1 year in 2018 compared with 2007-2011.

An update on allergic emergencies

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To provide an updated framework of management for allergic emergencies.

RECENT FINDINGS

The most frequent causes of anaphylaxis include medications, foods, and stinging insects. Early and appropriate administration of epinephrine is critical to managing anaphylaxis. Although epinephrine is well tolerated and there is no absolute contraindication to using epinephrine in first-aid management of anaphylaxis, many patients at risk for anaphylaxis still fail to carry and use the medication prior to seeking emergency care. Outcomes of allergic emergencies can be improved by educational efforts that focus on adherence to emergency plans, as well as asthma controller treatments in patients with persistent asthma. Though venom immunotherapy is known to decrease the risk for stinging insect anaphylaxis, the role of emerging strategies for food allergen immunotherapy in reducing cases of anaphylaxis requires further study.

SUMMARY

Fatalities resulting from anaphylaxis and asthma are rare. Patient education serves an important role in preparing for unexpected emergencies, instituting prompt and appropriate treatment, and incorporating effective strategies into the lives of children and families.

A primer on cost-effectiveness in the allergy clinic

OBJECTIVE

To provide a cost-effectiveness primer for the practicing allergist.

DATA SOURCES

Articles assessing use of decision analysis and cost-effective healthcare delivery.

STUDY SELECTIONS

A narrative review detailing approaches to incorporate evidence based medicine into individualized patient-centered cost-effective practice.

RESULTS

Resources in medicine are finite and it has been estimated that more than 30% of healthcare spending is directed toward low-value care. Insurers and government agencies are increasingly looking to maximize health value. Cost-effective analyses (CEA) is a complex valuation that grades health outcomes and economic benefits of a specific aspect of clinical care over a particular time horizon. In the US, therapies are generally considered cost-effective at ceilings between $50,000 - $150,000 per QALY. Critical components of CEA include model development to accurately represent clinical decisions and outcomes, evidence-based inputs, appropriate sensitivity analyses, and clarity in selecting the target population, perspective, comparators, time horizon, discount rate, and health outcomes. CEA can better inform trade-offs in patient care and add clarity in the translation of evidence to medical recommendations. Future research is likely to provide a more complete understanding of variation across population health state utilities for allergic conditions to more accurately reflect quality adjusted life years for patients with allergies.

CONCLUSION

Viewing healthcare options through an economic lens has become the standard of care across the United States and internationally, whether mandated through government agencies or third party payers. Decision analysis with cost-utility models can provide a useful perspective for both individual practice and public health.

Providing cost-effective care for food allergy

OBJECTIVE

To review the cost-effectiveness of food allergy management strategies.

DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SELECTIONS

A narrative review and synthesis of literature identified using a PubMed search of relevant articles describing cost-effectiveness evaluations of food allergy management.

RESULTS

Screening at-risk infants for peanut allergy carries risk of overdiagnosis and is not cost-effective. Evidence suggests that cost-effective care could be better optimized by minimizing delay in oral food challenges for eligible patients, clarifying the role of precautionary allergen labeling, incorporating patient-preference sensitive care in activation of emergency medical services for resolved allergic reactions, and considering value-based pricing and school-supply models for epinephrine. Finally, the annual value-based cost (willingness to pay [WTP] $100,000/quality-adjusted life years [QALY]) of peanut immunotherapy has been estimated to be between $1568 and $6568 for epicutaneous immunotherapy (EPIT) and between $1235 and $5235 for probiotic with peanut oil immunotherapy (POIT), with each therapy showing more favorable cost-effectiveness with greater improvements in health utility, particularly if sustained unresponsiveness can be achieved.

CONCLUSION

Many aspects of food allergy management are not cost-effective, and recent evaluations suggest a greater role for incorporating patient and family preferences into guideline-based and traditionally reflexive management decisions. Caregiver understanding of food allergy screening tradeoffs is critical, given that screening children before allergen exposure has significant costs and results in overdiagnosis, especially when oral food challenges are omitted from diagnostic algorithms. Cost-effectiveness analysis can help to identify important decision levers in patient management across a wide range of topics. Further research is needed to better understand health state utilities of specific patient populations.