A Quality-of-life Study in Patients with Anaphylaxis to Hymenoptera  Venom in Iran

Mohammad Hasan Bemanian; Maryam Heidari; Marzieh Tavakol; Mohammad Nabavi; Fatemeh Ramezani Kashal; Maryam Gholami; Bita Bemanian

doi:10.18502/ijaai.v23i1.14954

Mohammad Hasan Bemanian Department of Asthma and Allergy, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Maryam Heidari Department of Medical Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Marzieh Tavakol Non-communicable Diseases Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
Mohammad Nabavi Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Hazrat-E-Rasoul Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Fatemeh Ramezani Kashal Department of Medical Sciences, Gilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
Maryam Gholami Department of Medical Sciences, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urumia, Iran
Bita Bemanian Faculty of Humanities, West Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijaai.v23i1.14954

Keywords: Allergy quality of life; Anaphylaxis; Hymenoptera; Hymenoptera venom; Quality of life

Abstract

Little is known about the quality of life of patients with anaphylaxis to Hymenoptera venom. The Vespid Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire (VQLQ) is commonly used to assess the psychological burden of this condition. This study aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Persian version of VQLQ.

In this cross-sectional study, VQLQ was translated into Persian according to expert recommendations. The final translated version of VQLQ was then administered to 115 patients with Hymenoptera venom allergy at an asthma and allergy clinic in Iran.

More than half of the participants were between 20 and 40 years of age, and 60% were male. Fear, anxiety, and outdoor activities had the most significant impact on the quality of life of patients with Hymenoptera venom allergy. Additionally, quality of life was more affected in women than in men, while no correlation was found with age. Furthermore, the quality of life was affected by a history of acute anaphylactic shock due to Hymenoptera venom.

The Persian version of VQLQ enables the measurement of quality of life in patients with Hymenoptera venom allergy in the Iranian population. The inclusion of VQLQ in the initial evaluation of these patients may potentially guide allergist in providing support for venom-specific immunotherapy.