Health-related quality of life in food-allergic adults from eight European countries

• Published in: Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
• Main Authors: Goossens, Nicole J., Flokstra-De Blok, Bertine M J, Van Der Meulen, Gerbrich N., Arnlind, Marianne H., Asero, Ricardo, Barreales, Laura, Burney, Peter, Cerecedo, Imnaculada, Clausen, Michael, Fernandéz-Rivas, Monteserrat, Frewer, Lynn, De La Hoz Caballer, Belén, Jansson, Sven Arne, Jedrzejczak-Czechowicz, Monica, Knulst, André C., Kowalski, Marek L., Papadopoulos, Nikos G., Purohit, Ashok, Rokicka, Ewa, Starosta, Pawel, Vásquez-Cortés, Sonia, Duiverman, Eric J., Dubois, Anthony E J
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: Iceland
• Online Access: https://research.manchester.ac.uk/en/publications/ad93fedb-d22f-45b6-84f1-39faa65eeca3; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anai.2014.04.004; http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.reviewers/722283/description#description

Background Food allergy can impair health-related quality of life (HRQL). Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaires (FAQLQs) have been developed and validated, including an adult form (FAQLQ-AF). HRQL has not, to date, been measured across different European countries using a uniform methodology. Objective To translate and validate the FAQLQ-AF for use in 8 European countries (Iceland, The Netherlands, Poland, France, Spain, Italy, Greece, and Sweden). Methods The English FAQLQ-AF was translated, back-translated, and compared for use in the 8 relevant European languages. Adults with a perceived food allergy were recruited from outpatient departments and through a community survey. Participants completed the FAQLQ-AF, the Food Allergy Independent Measure, and questions concerning participants' characteristics. Validity of the FAQLQ-AF was analyzed for use in the 8 countries. Results The FAQLQ-AF had strong construct validity (r > 0.59) and an excellent internal consistency (Cronbach α > 0.95) in all countries. Total FAQLQ-AF scores (range 3.2-5.0) were significantly different across participating countries. Conclusion The FAQLQ-AF is a suitable and valid instrument for measuring HRQL in food-allergic adults in Iceland, The Netherlands, Poland, France, Spain, Italy, Greece, and Sweden. The impact of food allergy on HRQL seems to differ among adults from the 8 participating European countries. © 2014 American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.