The study, published in two parts (Part A and Part B), highlights the substantial impact peanut allergy has on every aspect of allergic individuals' and their caregivers' lives, including the uncertainty they feel around how to manage frightening and debilitating reactions and concerns about the feasibility of ongoing avoidance.
Peanut allergy is one of the most common food allergies, which affect over 17 million people in Europe.i The prevalence of peanut allergy in
APPEAL-1 is the first and largest quantitative study to validate and bring attention to the significant burden and psychosocial impact with which allergic individuals and their caregivers are challenged in their daily lives. The findings illustrate the impact of living with the condition, and how attempting to avoid peanuts every day can be a major source of stress, fear and anxiety, clouded by the persistent worry of accidental exposure for both the allergic individual and their caregiver. The data also demonstrate that across
'Our findings show that those living with peanut allergy face many uncertainties and restrictions on their daily activities, in addition to constant feelings of frustration, anxiety, stress, isolation, and uncertainty in their everyday lives,' said Audrey DunnGalvin, Ph.D., a lead investigator on the APPEAL-1 study and a lecturer in the
The APPEAL-1 Part A data provide meaningful insights into the experience of those with peanut allergy related to their reactions and disease management. Of the 1,300 survey participants: 45% rate their worst allergy reactions as severe, and 31% require the use of rescue medicine (adrenaline auto-injector; AAI) and hospitalization for their worst reaction. Of this latter group, percentages are higher in younger age groups; 35% in children and 42% in teenagers, compared with 26% in adults.
Despite this, more than a quarter had never been prescribed an adrenaline auto-injector (AAI), and only 24% of all respondents received training on what to do in an emergency. Of those that had been prescribed an AAI, only a third had received training on how to use it.
87.4% report multiple symptoms during their worst allergic reactions, the most common symptoms included swelling (lips, eyes, tongue), breathing difficulties/wheezing and itching mouth or throat tightness. Almost one third report gastrointestinal symptoms (vomiting 30%, nausea 27%, stomach pain/cramps 24%).
Comorbidities are common, with 42%, 50% and 79% reporting comorbid allergic rhinitis, asthma, and other food allergy, respectively.
Nearly half of all respondents (n=1,846) (46%) describe living with the disease as 'more' or 'much more' expensive than living without the disease, pointing to a financial burden associated with managing peanut allergy. Most respondents note 'significant' indirect costs associated with the extra time needed for planning day-to-day activities (85%) and special events (91%).
The APPEAL-1 Part B data show the impact on individuals' freedom of choice in daily activities; feelings and emotions; impacts of bullying, and their ability to cope with peanut allergy. Of the 1,846 survey respondents: 90% report feeling frustrated and stressed, with over a third having frequent feelings of anxiety.
65% report feelings of isolation and 43% report experiencing bullying.
89% report feeling restricted on where to eat out and 84% feel limited on buying food.
Moreover, respondents report limitations in other areas of their lives not related to food, such as choice of schools (55%), socializing (75%) and going to special occasions (89%). More than half (54%) even worry about exposure during social occasions where food is not involved.
Within these data, there are some cross-country differences observed: In
In
More than half (52%) of respondents in the
Confidence in recognizing allergic reaction symptoms and on how and when to use rescue medicine was dangerously low in
'The study provides essential insight and data on peanut allergy comorbidities, severity of reactions, management, and suggests a widespread need in
Aimmune has a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) under review with the
About the APPEAL-1 Study
APPEAL-1 (Allergy to Peanuts ImPacting Emotions And Life-1) collected data from 1,846 respondents (allergic individuals and their caregivers) across eight European countries and is the first pan-European quantitative, cross-sectional survey that explored the psychosocial impacts of living with peanut allergy with use of a novel questionnaire. The three respondent groups included 528 self-reporting adults with peanut allergy; 881 self-reporting caregivers, and 437 children with peanut allergy reported by proxy of their caregiver (of these children, 34 were aged 0-3 years, 287 aged 4-12 years, 116 aged 13-17 years).
About Peanut Allergy
Peanut allergy is one of the most common food allergies, which affects over 17 million people in Europe.v The prevalence of peanut allergy in
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Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: Aimmune's expectations regarding potential applications of the CODIT approach to treating life-threatening food allergies. Risks and uncertainties that contribute to the uncertain nature of the forward-looking statements include: the risk that the COVID-19 worldwide pandemic may continue to negatively impact the business, research and clinical operations of Aimmune or its partners; Aimmune's or any of its collaborative partners' ability to initiate and/or complete clinical trials; the unpredictability of the regulatory process; the possibility that Aimmune's or any of its collaborative partners' clinical trials will not be successful; Aimmune's dependence on the success of commercialization; Aimmune's reliance on third parties for the manufacture of Aimmune's products and product candidates; possible regulatory developments in
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