Racial Differences in Food Allergy Phenotype and Health Care Utilization among Egyptian & USA Patients

Abstract Introduction This research is to answer the question of whether socio-economic class and the environmental factors associated with it has an impact on the presentation of food allergy (FA) in the Egyptian population, including serum IgE, sensitization to different foods and the impact on the family. Methods The study was conducted over 50 patients diagnosed with IgE-mediated FA aged less than 12 years, All patients were subjected to FA-related QOL Questionnaire. The study investigated age, gender, duration of pregnancy, mode of delivery, birth place, parental education, annual household income and household size as proxy sociodemographic variables. Results Low SES as regard low household income, small household size, more crowded household and low level of parental education, showed an impact on FA; Milk was the most common food allergen (60%) with late self-reporting FA cases; In contrast to high SES patients showed higher household income, bigger household size with less crowded household and higher level of parental education; Egg was the most common food allergen (56%) with earlier self-reporting of FA. With no significant deference as regard to sex preference (Male predominance), childhood infections, pre-natal & first year antibiotics use, pets in the house, household smoking, symptoms of FA, number & severity of reactions, history of anaphylaxis, number of ER visits & hospitalization and history of associated allergies. Conclusion SES is a proxy measure for lifestyle features and characteristics including dietary habits, allergen exposure and other environmental factors and it is an important risk factor for atopic dermatitis, rhinitis and food allergy.