DAFALL – Database of Food Allergy

Food allergies are reported in 6–8% of children, and in 2–3% of adults. Prevalence rates of food allergies and the severity of their symptoms have been rising steadily in recent years. Food is the most common cause of anaphylaxis in paediatric patients. Significant geographic differences have been reported in terms of prevalence rates of food allergies, types of their symptoms, as well as the frequency of individual foods causing allergies. Prevalence rates of food allergies in various European regions were studied, among others, as part of the EuroPrevall research project, which was carried out in the period 2005–2009 and was funded by the European Commission. This project led to the development of an international database of patients with defined food allergies.

The DAFALL project developed a similar database, with the primary aim to record data on patients treated in the Centre of Food Allergies (at ImmunoFlow in Prague, Czech Republic). Data from other allergology facilities from various regions of the Czech Republic were collected in the subsequent stage of the project.

• In the first stage of the project, a database of patients diagnosed with food allergies, who had been examined and followed up in ImmunoFlow, was created. Data were collected using structured questionnaires – either on paper or in an electronic form. These questionnaires gathered data on the general allergological history of the patient and his/her family, details on the history of reactions to food (type of food, way of processing, threshold dose leading to the reaction, type of symptoms and severity of reaction, administered therapy, cofactors). The electronic database also involved results of performed allergological tests – skin prick testing, patch testing, specific IgE against foods, component resolved diagnosis (CRD), basophil activation testing (BAT), etc. Particular attention was paid to patients with a history of anaphylaxis, especially with regard to the allergy trigger (i.e., the specific food) and to the spectre of sensitisation with individual allergens. Effects of potential elimination diets were also monitored.
• In the second stage of the project, cooperation with other allergology facilities from various geographic regions of the Czech Republic was established. Occurrence of food allergies in various geographic regions was monitored, using data collected in the electronic database.

Project objectives:

• to monitor the dataset of patients with food allergies – spectre of food allergies, food triggers, threshold doses, analphylaxis and its triggers, results of laboratory and clinical tests, including the level of specific IgE in relation to symptoms, threshold doses, etc.,
• to monitor the occurrence of IgE mediated and non-IgE mediated food allergies, to follow up development of allergies (especially in infants: allergy to cow’s milk, eggs and wheat flour),
• to obtain epidemiological data related to food allergies in the Czech Republic (in the second stage of the project).

Project outcomes:

• Spectre of food allergies (particularly in children) in the Czech Republic, a detailed description of these patients.
• Characteristics of individual groups of food-allergic persons with a potential impact on recommended dietary measures, or food labelling (spectre of allergens with respect to geographic particularities of the Czech Republic, threshold doses for individual allergens).

Other important information:

• Expert guarantor: Simona Bělohlávková, M.D.
• Funding: IMMUNO-FLOW Ltd., Nestlé CZ, SIEMENS, Nutricia
• Partners: selected allergology outpatient clinics from all over the Czech Republic