Abstract
Background Allergic diseases represent a major global health issue with
more than one third of the global population affected with at least one
allergic condition. Allergic conditions can not only cause life
threatening anaphylactic reactions but also impact on daily life with
significant influence on mental health and quality of life (QoL)
Objectives This study aims to evaluate the health related QoL and
depression severity among patients presenting in a tertiary care allergy
center. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 628 patients
presenting with allergic symptoms or previously diagnosed allergies
between October 2018 and April 2019 and screened for depression and QoL
impairment. Results 73.3% (n=437/596) of the patients suffered from at
least one previously diagnosed allergic disease, most frequently to
pollen (36.2%, n=220/607) or food (26.7%, n=162/607), and 19.6 %
(n=119/607) suffered from urticaria. 16.6% of the total study
population suffered from depression. Urticaria as well as insect venom,
food/food additive allergies and drug allergies significantly affected
the quality of life and depression severity (p<.001),
reflected by higher DLQI and BDI scores and lower scores in the EQ5D-3L
index. Conclusion Our results provide evidence for a possible
association of allergies (e.g. against insect venom, food/food additives
and drugs) and/or urticaria with a reduced life quality and a higher
depression rate. Patients particularly indicated restrictions in the
dimensions pain/discomfort as well as anxiety/depression. A standardized
questionnaire for evaluating the mental health status of patients with
allergies and/or urticaria might be beneficial to be implemented as a
regular screening method.