New allergy guidelines aimed at medical specialists and general practitioners (family practice physicians) have been issued by an expert panel sponsored by the NIAID (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases). The authors say they should help doctors in the diagnosis and care management for patients with allergies.

The Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Food Allergy in the United States have been published by the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. The NAID says that by early 2011 there will be a lay version for non-health care professionals.

NIAID Director Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., said:

    “Food allergy affects millions of Americans, and these individuals seek care from a wide variety of health care providers. Because these guidelines provide standardized, concise recommendations on how to diagnose and manage food allergy and treat acute food allergy reactions across specialties, we expect both clinicians and food allergy patients to greatly benefit from these clear state-of-the-science clinical standards.”

Among the key aims of the new guidelines are consistency in:

  • Allergy terminologies
  • Definitions
  • Diagnostic criteria
  • Patient management practices

According to the NIAID, the guidelines are designed for general practitioners as well as specialists in family medicine, pediatrics, allergy, critical care medicine, dermatology, gastroenterology, emergency medicine, and pulmonary medicine.

A coordinating committee was formed, consisting of representatives from 34 professional organizations, federal agencies and advocacy groups. The Committee selected an Expert Panel of 25 members. The Panel prepared draft guidelines after reviewing academic literature and discussing issues with each other. While the guidelines were being developed the Panel also welcomed and considered public comments.

Dr. Boyce said:

    “These guidelines are an important starting point toward a goal of a more cogent, evidence-based approach to the diagnosis and management of food allergy. We believe that they provide healthcare professionals with a clear-cut definition of what constitutes a food allergy and a logical framework for the appropriate use of diagnostic testing and accurate interpretation of the results.”

The guidelines also cover:

  • Closely associated diseases
  • The natural history of food allergy
  • Management of acute allergic reactions to food, such as anaphylaxis.
  • Identifying gaps about what is known about food allergies
  • The prevalence of food allergies

Daniel Rotrosen, M.D., director of the Division of Allergy, Immunology and Transplantation at NIAID, said:

    “The food allergy guidelines provide a rigorous assessment of the state of the science, and clearly identify the areas where evidence is lacking and where research needs to be pursued. This information will help shape our research agenda for the near future.”

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases informs that food allergy has become a major health concern in America. 4% of US adolescents and adults are thought to be affected by some kind of food allergy, and so are nearly 5% of children aged 5 years or less.

The rate of food allergy is rising in the USA, experts say. Apart from the risk of serious reactions to certain foods, some of which may be life-threatening, food allergies can also have a negative impact on a person’s nutrition, development and quality of life, as well as their health.

There are no current food allergy cures. Some potential treatments are showing promise; however, the only really effective way of preventing a complication from a food allergy is to avoid the food(s).

“Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Food Allergy in the United States: Report of the NIAID-Sponsored Expert Panel”
NIAID-Sponsored Expert Panel
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology Vol 126, Issue 6, Supplement , Pages S1-S58, December 2010

Written by Christian Nordqvist