The impact of double-blind placebo- controlled food challenge (DBPCFC) on the socioeconomic cost of food allergy in Europe

Background: double-blind placebo controlled food challenge (dbpcfc) is the gold standard diagnostic test in food allergy because it minimizes diagnostic bias.objective: to investigate the potential effect of diagnosis on the socioeconomic costs of food allergy.methods: a prospective longitudinal cost analysis study was conducted in spain and poland within the europrevall project. food-allergic patients were enrolled into the study and in all cases diagnosis was confirmed through a standardized dbpcfc. data were collected through a self-administered survey on all aspects of health and social care resource use,costs of living,and costs of leisure activities. costs were measured before and 6 months after the dbpcfc and reported in international dollars with 2007 as the benchmark year.results: forty-two patients were enrolled. twenty-one patients had a negative dbpcfc and the suspected food was reintroduced into their diet. comparing total direct costs before and after the dbpcfc,the reactive group spent a significantly higher amount (median increase of $813.1 over baseline),while the tolerant group’s spending decreased by a median of $87.3 (p=.031). the amount of money spent on food 6 months after diagnosis was also significantly higher in the reactive group (p=.040). finally,a larger,but not statistically significant,decrease in total indirect costs was observed in the tolerant group compared with the reactive group ($538.3 vs $32.3).conclusion: dbpcfc has an impact on indirect and direct costs of living. the main contribution to this increase was money spent on food. © 2014 esmon publicidad.