Effect of oral food challenge on quality of life and family activities in children with IgE-mediated food allergies.

Background: Oral food challenge (OFC) is an integral part of confirming and evaluating the diagnosis of food allergy (FA), and most incidents of FA occur in children. FA significantly impairs the quality of life (QoL) and causes limited activities outside the home for children and their parents.

Aim: To evaluate the effect of OFC on QoL and family activities in children with FA.

Methods: This prospective study identified children suspected of FA using a skin prick test (SPT) between January 2022 and December 2024. These children conduct an elimination diet for 4 wk, followed by OFC under protocol. Rating scales evaluated QoL using pediatric QoL inventory and family activities using family activities impact scale (FAIS), in which data are collected before and after an elimination diet and OFC. Statistical analysis utilized χ ², Spearman , paired t, Wilcoxon, independent t, and Mann-Whitney tests, with P < 0.05 considered significant.

Results: Most participants were boys (137; 65.55%); 102 (64.56%) had a positive OFC and 35 (68.63%) a negative OFC. The average QoL before OFC was 69.13 ± 5.78, and 92.40 ± 4.22 after OFC (Z = 12.537; P < 0.001). In the FAIS score, the average result before OFC was 5.36 ± 0.68 and 4.10 ± 0.38 after OFC, which was a significant difference (Z = 12.162; P < 0.001). Although the difference in QoL before and after increased, and FAIS reduced, there was no significant difference. Additionally, most results of positive SPT are higher than positive OFC in each specific food allergen.

Conclusion: OFC may improve QoL and FAIS in children with FA and their families as it increases activities outside the home and reduces worry about allergen exposure.