Self-reported food allergy in the elderly – Lifetime prevalence and clinical features in older adults seeking allergy care in Brazil

Background Food allergy (FA) is a growing concern worldwide. However, most epidemiological studies focus on childhood or young adults, so that FA in the elderly remains poorly characterised. This study aimed to investigate the lifetime prevalence of self-reported FA among older Brazilians seeking allergy care, and possible associations with sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Methods Cross-sectional study using a self-reported questionnaire (developed, standardised and validated in Portuguese) applied to a non-probabilistic sample of elderly people (≥60 years) living in Brazil and recruited by their attending physicians in public or private care units. Multivariable regression models were applied to estimate the association of sociodemographic or clinical characteristics with self-reported FA. Results We included 632 individuals (69.8% female; average age: 70.2 years) from all 5 Regions of Brazil. The prevalence of self-reported FA was 18.8% (95%CI = 16.0%–22.1%), based on the affirmative answer to the question: "have you ever had an allergic reaction to any food?". A total of 9.0% (7.0%–11.5%) reported having had a medical diagnosis of FA, while 5.5% (4,0%-7,6%) reported having had an immediate reaction (<2 h) and 2 or more episodes with the same food. The foods most frequently associated were shellfish, milk and fresh fruits. The most frequent clinical manifestations were urticaria and gastrointestinal symptoms. In multivariable analysis, we found an association between FA and female sex, as well as personal and family history of allergy. Conclusions The lifetime prevalence of self-reported FA among elderly individuals recruited in allergy/immunology clinical settings in Brazil was high, being more common in women and in those with personal or family history of allergy.

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Journal
World Allergy Organization Journal
Published
2026-09-29
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.waojou.2026.101472
Primary Topic
Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Research
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article
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article

Self-reported food allergy in the elderly – Lifetime prevalence and clinical features in older adults seeking allergy care in Brazil

Mariana Castiglioni, Luís Delgado, José Laerte Boechat, EMANUEL SÁVIO CAVALCANTI SARINHO et al.
World Allergy Organization Journal
Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Research
article

Self-reported food allergy in the elderly – Lifetime prevalence and clinical features in older adults seeking allergy care in Brazil

Mariana Castiglioni, Luís Delgado, José Laerte Boechat, EMANUEL SÁVIO CAVALCANTI SARINHO, Ana Luiza Ribeiro Bard de Carvalho, Fábio Chigres Kuschnir, Vanessa Bosi Bissi Denadai, Gustavo Falbo Wandalsen, Valéria Soraya de Farias Sales, Bernardo Sousa‐Pinto, Priscilla Filippo Alvim de Minas Santos, Maria Letícia Chavarria, Norma de Paula Motta Rubini, José Rodrigo de Moraes, Luís Taborda‐Barata, Ekaterini Goudouris, Raquel Prudente de Carvalho Baldaçara, Myrthes Toledo Barros, Daniella Campelo Batalha Cox Moore, Valéria Botan Gonçalves, Fernanda Lugão Campinhos, Carlos Lozoya, Maria Do Socorro Viana Silva De Sá, Mara Morelo Rocha Félix, Fátima Rodrigues Fernandes, Maria Elisa Bertocco Andrade, Albertina Varandas Capelo, Marcelo Jeferson Zella, Eliane Miranda da Silva, Dirceu Solé, Daniele De Lemos, Lika Nishimori, Isabela Maria A. Ribeiro Simões, Elaine Alves da Rocha, Zulmira Ernestina Pereira Lopes, Décio Medeiros, José Luiz Magalhães Rios, Gabriela Andrade Coelho Dias, Bianca da Mota Pinheiro, Tatiana Andrade, Fabrício Prado MONTEIRO, Mario Gustavo de Aranda Pacheco, Camila Martins Chieza, Ludmila Franco, Laura Gottschall da Silva, Liza Souza Brito, Magna Patrícia Saiter Coutinho, Lidiane Simões, Manuela Rodrigues Coimbra, Nonayra Oliveira, José Dilbery Oliveira da Silva
article en

Abstract

Background Food allergy (FA) is a growing concern worldwide. However, most epidemiological studies focus on childhood or young adults, so that FA in the elderly remains poorly characterised. This study aimed to investigate the lifetime prevalence of self-reported FA among older Brazilians seeking allergy care, and possible associations with sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Methods Cross-sectional study using a self-reported questionnaire (developed, standardised and validated in Portuguese) applied to a non-probabilistic sample of elderly people (≥60 years) living in Brazil and recruited by their attending physicians in public or private care units. Multivariable regression models were applied to estimate the association of sociodemographic or clinical characteristics with self-reported FA. Results We included 632 individuals (69.8% female; average age: 70.2 years) from all 5 Regions of Brazil. The prevalence of self-reported FA was 18.8% (95%CI = 16.0%–22.1%), based on the affirmative answer to the question: "have you ever had an allergic reaction to any food?". A total of 9.0% (7.0%–11.5%) reported having had a medical diagnosis of FA, while 5.5% (4,0%-7,6%) reported having had an immediate reaction (<2 h) and 2 or more episodes with the same food. The foods most frequently associated were shellfish, milk and fresh fruits. The most frequent clinical manifestations were urticaria and gastrointestinal symptoms. In multivariable analysis, we found an association between FA and female sex, as well as personal and family history of allergy. Conclusions The lifetime prevalence of self-reported FA among elderly individuals recruited in allergy/immunology clinical settings in Brazil was high, being more common in women and in those with personal or family history of allergy.

World Allergy Organization JournalVol. 19(10)
Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (BR), Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco (PT), Universidade Federal Fluminense (BR), University of Beira Interior (PT), Universidade do Porto (PT), Universidade do Estado do Pará (BR), Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (BR), Hospital de Base (BR), Hospital Center of Cova da Beira (PT), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (BR), Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (BR), Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (BR), Universidade Federal do Tocantins (BR), Hospital Universitário Gaffrée e Guinle (BR), Hospital Federal dos Servidores do Estado (BR), Escola Superior de Ciências da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Vitória (BR), Universidade Castelo Branco (BR), CUF Porto Hospital (PT), Instituto de Biologia do Exército (BR), Faculdade de Medicina de Petrópolis (BR), Hospital Central da Polícia Militar (BR), Escola de Comando e Estado-Maior do Exército (BR), Hospital Infantil Albert Sabin (BR), Universidade Vila Velha (BR), Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (BR), Associação Brasileira de Alergia e Imunologia (BR), Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual (BR), Universidade Católica de Petrópolis (BR), Universidade Federal de Goiás (BR), Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (BR), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (BR)
Openalex Percentile: Top 14%
Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Research
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