RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

EPAP, Interviewstudy

This study wants to learn more about why people with food allergies sometimes have repeated severe allergic reactions, called anaphylaxis. They are especially interested in reactions to foods like peanuts, other nuts, seeds, and grains. The main goal is to see if reactions to certain foods happen again more often, even after people have been told how to avoid them. If you take part, you'll fill out online questionnaires about your allergies, eating habits, and how you cope with emergencies. This will happen when you start and then at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. By watching how people manage their allergies and if they have more reactions, the researchers hope to find better ways to support patients in the future and reduce their risk of repeat severe reactions.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Charite University, Berlin, Germany

Enrolment target

322

Start

01 Mar 2022

Estimated completion

28 Feb 2029

Food Allergy Food Allergy Peanut Allergy Anaphylactic Shock

What is this study about?

Imagine you or someone you know has a severe food allergy. You might wonder why some people have repeated serious reactions, even when they try hard to avoid the troublesome food. This study, called EPAP, aims to find out more about this very question. It focuses on people who have recently had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to foods like peanuts, other nuts, seeds, or grains.

The main idea is to see if the type of food that caused the first reaction makes a difference to whether someone has another reaction later on, even after they've received advice on avoiding it. Researchers also want to understand how people manage their allergies day-to-day, including their eating habits, how their allergy affects their life, and whether they use emergency medicines correctly. They will look at whether repeat reactions are to the same food or a new one, and if certain foods cause specific patterns of symptoms.

By gathering all this information, the study hopes to improve how doctors and nurses support people with food allergies. The ultimate goal is to find better ways to help patients avoid repeat severe reactions and live safer, healthier lives with their allergies.

Key takeaways

The study investigates repeated severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) to food.
It focuses on allergies to peanuts, other nuts, seeds, and grains.
Participation involves completing online surveys over two years.
The goal is to improve care and reduce the risk of future severe reactions.
It helps understand how people manage their allergies and emergency situations.

Who may be eligible?

To be considered for this study, you must have recently had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to certain foods. These foods include peanuts, other legumes (like lentils or beans), tree nuts (like almonds or walnuts), seeds (like sesame or sunflower), or grains (like wheat or oats).

You also need to be part of the European Anaphylaxis Registry, which is another research project (its ID is NCT05210543).

Finally, you should be able to receive emails and complete surveys online. There are no other specific exclusion criteria if you meet these points, meaning anyone of any age and gender who fits the above can potentially take part.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Have I recently had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a food like peanuts, nuts, seeds, or grains?
Am I already part of the European Anaphylaxis Registry (NCT05210543)?
Do I have access to email and can I fill out online questionnaires?
Am I comfortable completing surveys about my allergy experience over two years?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to join this study, your journey will involve answering surveys online. You'll receive links to these questionnaires by email. You'll complete the first one when you start the study. After that, you'll get more surveys at 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and finally at 24 months. So, you'll be involved in total for two years, responding to five sets of questions over that time. It's all done online, so there are no in-person visits required.

Potential risks and benefits

A potential benefit of taking part in this study is contributing valuable information that could help improve care and reduce repeat severe reactions for people with food allergies in the future, including potentially yourself. There are no known physical risks directly associated with this study as it only involves answering questionnaires. As with any study, you are free to stop participating at any time without giving a reason, and it won't affect your medical care.

Locations (1)

Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Verified postcode
Berlin, Germany· Recruiting

Common questions

What is anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxis is a very severe, life-threatening allergic reaction that needs urgent medical treatment.

What kind of allergies is this study looking at?

It's focusing on severe allergies to peanuts, other legumes, tree nuts, seeds (like sesame), and grains (like wheat or oats).

How will I provide information for the study?

You'll answer online questionnaires that will be sent to your email address.

How long will I be in the study?

You'll be asked to complete surveys over a two-year period.

Why is this study important?

It aims to help doctors better understand and support people with food allergies to prevent future severe reactions.

How to find out more

Margitta Worm, MD

sekreteriat-worm@charite.de +49 30 450 518 105 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.