BMJ 1996;313:299-300 (3 August)

Letters

Study was not designed to measure prevalence

EDITOR,--Media coverage of Pamela W Ewan's study of peanut and nut allergy1--for example, in BBC Radio 4's PM programme--highlighted the conclusion in the abstract that "peanut and nut allergy is becoming common"; we note that in the key message this statement has become "peanut and nut allergy are becoming more common." The study, however, was not designed to measure the prevalence of such allergies and, indeed, was restricted to patients seen during one year at a particular allergy clinic; the only evidence given in support of the supposed conclusion is the author's "impression that the increased incidence of peanut or nut allergy is real" and the statement that "there has been a considerable increase in the rate of referrals for food allergy." Even more disturbingly, Hugh A Sampson cites this study in his editorial in support of his conclusion that "the prevalence of peanut and nut allergy is increasing."2

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Relevant Article

Clinical study of peanut and nut allergy in 62 consecutive patients: new features and associations
Pamela W Ewan
BMJ 1996 312: 1074-1078. [Abstract] [Full Text]

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