The Role of Food Challenges in Clinical Practice

Publication date: March–April 2018
Source:The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice, Volume 6, Issue 2
Author(s): Andrew J. MacGinnitie, Michael C. Young
Food challenges are the criterion standard for establishing the presence or absence of food allergy. However, they remain underused because of their resource-intensive nature, inadequate reimbursement, and concern for the risk of anaphylaxis. Here, we review indications for performing food challenges, including scenarios of uncertain diagnosis, quality-of-life effects following food challenges, and the impact on office practice including coding and reimbursement issues. Demand for food challenges is likely to increase and allergists should be capable of providing this service to their patients when indicated.