Food anaphylaxis and augmentation factors – data of the German-speaking anaphylaxis registry

Results Of the 2115 anaphylactic reactions 494 cases (23%) were caused by food. These were 232 reactions in children and adolescents (range: 2 months – 17 years, median: 4 years; 65% male) and 262 reactions in adults (range: 18 – 82 years, median: 39 years; 31% male).The most common triggers among children were peanuts (n = 50), cow’s milk (n = 27), hazelnuts (n = 19) and hen ́s egg (n = 14). Among adults the following triggers were registered most frequently: wheat flour (n = 29, in 25 cases in combination with exercise), soybeans (n = 19), celery (n = 16), shellfish (n = 15) and hazelnuts (n =15). At least one augmentation factor was observed in 29% of all patients with food anaphylaxis. Drugs (mainly NSAID and beta-blocker) were suspected in 14%, exercise in 10%, alcohol and psychological stress in 4% each of the food cases. As further possible factors acute infection, food-additives and menstruation were reported in less than 2% of the cases. Drugs were most commonly combined with vegetables (celery, carrot) and exercise with wheat flour followed by tree nuts.