The priorities were identified through a James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership led by researchers at the Centre for Applied Excellence in Skin and Allergy Research (CAESAR) at the University of Bristol. The research was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and supported by Allergy UK, Anaphylaxis UK, Natasha’s Foundation, formerly known as The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, and Eczema Outreach Support. Details of how the priorities were set are published in the journal Clinical and Experimental Allergy today [6 July].
Food allergies affect one in 13 children in the UK and can be life-threatening. Growing up with a food allergy can affect a child’s physical, emotional and social wellbeing, and that of their family too.
The priorities have already been used to inform the early-years focus of Natasha’s Prize, a £10 million investment by Natasha’s Foundation into global research to create a future without food allergy.
Dr Roxanne Parslow, Research Fellow in Primary Care at the Centre for Academic Primary Care, University of Bristol and member of the CAESAR team, said: “We are delighted to share the results of our priority setting partnership with the wider community today. There are many unanswered questions about prevention, diagnosis and treatment of childhood food allergies. With publication of the top 10 research priorities, researchers and funders now have a resource to understand the needs of children living with food allergy and how future research can be shaped to help meet those needs.”
Tanya Ednan-Laperouse OBE, founder of Natasha’s Foundation, the UK’s food allergy charity, said: "The focus of Natasha's Foundation’s £10 million Prize on the first 1,000 days, from conception to age two, was informed by the priorities identified through the James Lind Alliance Food Allergy in Children Priority Setting Partnership. The Partnership’s findings have highlighted the need for research into the prevention and early-life origins of food allergy, helping to shape the theme of Natasha’s Prize and support research with the potential to improve outcomes for future generations."
Emily Mortimer, a young adult with food allergy, who took part in the study, said: “Living with a food allergy affects every aspect of life. Understanding where and how food allergy impacts on wider wellbeing means we can appropriately support where it is needed. Together this could reduce how impactful allergies are on quality of life and empower young people to take back control.”
Professor Matthew Ridd, GP, Director of CAESAR and NIHR Research Professor at the Centre for Academic Primary Care, University of Bristol, said: “This research priority setting exercise will help funders of research and researchers focus on the things that matter to patients, their carers and the healthcare professionals who look after them. I’m delighted that the Natasha Foundation is already seeking to fund research to answer the top priority. I hope this is the first of many such opportunities, and the questions about the prevention, diagnosis and management of food allergy will be answered.”
How the priorities were identified
Identifying the priorities involved a rigorous process to pin down the top 10 research questions. Over 2,500 questions were submitted by more than 900 people in a first national survey carried out by the CAESAR team earlier this year. From these, the team identified 50 that had not previously been answered by research.
Over 1,000 people then responded to a second survey to identify their top 10 questions. The team narrowed the field to 25 questions after analysing the responses. These were then discussed at a workshop with a group of 29 children, young people and adults with food allergy, parents and carers, and health professionals, at the end of which the final 10 priorities were agreed.
The top 10 priorities for childhood food allergy research
- PREVENTION
What are the safest, most effective and cost-effective ways to prevent food allergy in children?
- EARLY DIAGNOSIS
What is the most effective way to improve the early diagnosis and care of children with food allergy in primary care and the community?
For example, GP, health visitor, dietitian support and advice beyond total food allergen avoidance.
- TREATMENT
What are the safest, most effective and cost-effective treatments for children with known food allergy?
For example, immunotherapy, food ladders, medication.
- CAUSE
What factors increase the risk of a child developing food allergy and influence whether food allergy gets worse or is outgrown?
- EATING OUT
How can eating out in restaurants and cafes be made safer and more inclusive for families with food allergies?
Including: training, awareness, alternatives, allergy menus and allergy rating.
- SAFETY IN CARE SETTINGS
What is the most effective way to ensure that nurseries and schools support children with food allergy and their families?
Including: staff training, emergency medication access, inclusive meal planning and allergen free activities.
- IMPACT
How does living with a food allergy impact children, young people and their families?
Including: eating disorders; nutrition, growth & development; quality of life; social and emotional wellbeing and the challenges of eating out.
- EMERGENCY TREATMENT
How can emergency treatment for anaphylaxis be improved?
For example, through public awareness of, access to and use of adrenaline/ epinephrine.
- AWARENESS
How can food allergy awareness and education be improved in healthcare professionals and parents?
- TREATMENT- DIET
What are the best ways to introduce food allergens to desensitise/ build tolerance to treat children with food allergy?
Including: age, dose and frequency.
Paper
‘Research priorities for children with food allergy: A UK James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership’ by Roxanne Parslow et al. Published in Clinical & Experimental Allergy [open access]