Self-reported allergy-related symptoms and psychological morbidity in primary care

Objective: To examine the relationship between allergy-related symptoms, food intolerance and psychological distress in primary care. Methods: Two thousand three hundred and thirty two adults in five General Practices in the South of England completed questionnaires regarding allergy and psychological health. Results: There was a weak link between allergy-related symptoms and psychological symptoms, but no association was demonstrated between a history of diagnosed or treated asthma, eczema or hay fever and psychological morbidity. Cases of food intolerance had lower levels of psychological distress than expected compared to hospital Samples. Current, but not past wheezing and eczema, was associated with an excess of life stresses in the previous six months. Conclusions: The association between psychological distress and the label of food allergy/intolerance found in specialist care does not extend to primary care.