Risk factors for developing food-induced bronchospasm during oral food challenge

Prevalence of both asthma and food allergy is increasing in Western Europe (1,2). In France, according to recent surveys, the prevalence of asthma is 9.4% in children and 7% in adults (3). Food allergy proven by oral food challenges (OFC) affects between 1 to 10% of the population (4). Studies have been considering both disorders as comorbidities under the atopic disease concept. Asthmatic children with food allergy have an increased risk for asthma exacerbation and severe asthma, especially when developing anaphylactic reactions (1,5). Each part of the respiratory system (the nose, the larynx, and the lungs) may be involved in food-induced allergic reactions, especially in IgE-mediated allergic reactions, and food allergies play a role in the pathogenesis of respiratory tract symptoms (6). This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.