To face fear : a qualitative study of adolescents' experiences of double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenges

• Background: Double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenges are the gold standard for diagnosing the clinical relevance of a suspected food allergy. Hitherto there are no descriptions on how adolescents' experience this procedure. The aim of this study was to describe adolescents' experiences of double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenges and to what extent the provoked food was reintroduced following the challenge. Method: Seventeen adolescents were interviewed after participating in double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenges. The interview data was analyzed using qualitative content analysis.Results: Experiences during the challenge were: challenging fears in a secure environment, being curious but also hesitant to unknown tastes and waiting for unknown food reactions. Experiences after the challenge were: gaining control and freedom or to stay in old habits. Out of 20 challenges the outcome was negative in 11 cases and positive in 9. Five adolescents with a negative outcome and 4 with mild reactions reintroduced the provoked food. Conclusions: During the challenge the adolescents received knowledge about whether and how they reacted to the provoked food. Reintroduction of the food was not always consistent with the challenge outcome. Independent of the outcome of the challenge and the choices made based on the challenge result, all the adolescents strived for what they felt was a normal life. This study provides a better understanding of young people's experience of double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge and their motivations to introduce -or not- the previously eliminated food. The result indicate that follow ups are important since the adolescents need support in their striving to manage new food-related situations after the challenge, independent of the outcome.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Lungmedicin och allergi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Respiratory Medicine and Allergy (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Omvårdnad (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Nursing (hsv//eng)

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