Consensus on DEfinition of Food Allergy SEverity (DEFASE): Protocol for a systematic review

World Allergy Organ J. 2020 Dec 19;13(12):100493. doi: 10.1016/j.waojou.2020.100493. eCollection 2020 Dec.

Abstract

Background and aims: The term "Food Allergy" refers to a complex global health problem with a wide spectrum of severity. However, a uniform definition of severe food allergy is currently missing. This systematic review is the preliminary step towards a state-of-the-art synopsis of the current evidence relating to the severity of IgE-mediated food allergy; it will inform attempts to develop a consensus to define food allergy severity by clinicians and other stakeholders.

Methods: We will undertake a systematic review, which will involve searching international biomedical databases for published studies. Studies will be independently screened against pre-defined eligibility criteria and critically appraised by established instruments. Data will be descriptively and, if possible and applicable, quantitatively synthesised.

Ethics and dissemination: This study does not require any specific ethical approval since it is a systematic review. We plan to report results from this systematic review in a peer reviewed journal. These results will be used to inform the development of an international consensus to define severe food allergy. Author's potential conflicts of interest are clearly stated.

Prospero registration number: CRD42020183103.

Keywords: CASP, Critical Appraisal Skills Programme; CBA, controlled before after studies; CCT, controlled clinical trials; CHEERS, Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards; CI, confidential interval; Classification; Definition; FAIM, food allergy independent measure; FAQL, food allergy quality of life; FARE, Food Allergy Research & Education; Food allergy; GRADE, Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation; ITS, interrupted time series; PRISMA, Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses; PROSPERO, Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews; RCT, randomized controlled trials; Severity; WAO, World Allergy Organization.

Publication types

  • Review