The impact of Hymenoptera venom allergy on occupational activities

The objective of this study was to investigate the impact ofallergy to hymenoptera venom on the occupational activitiesof patients undergoing immunologic treatment for insect stinganaphylaxis. The design was a cross-sectional study conductedin a sample of 500 out of 1,500 patients undergoing venom inmunotherapyfor insect sting reaction in 13 allergy clinics in Israel. Aself-administered questionnaire was used to collect data aboutdemographic characteristics of patients, severity of the allergicreaction, and adverse effects on occupational activities. Ofthe 204 respondents who were part of the labour force, 48.5%reported adverse effects on routine occupational activities.The factors with a significant influence on the probabilityof adverse occupational effects were: (1) patient's type ofwork (blue collar vs. white collar: OR=;3.22, p<0.001; armyvs. white collar: OR=5.28, p=0.001); (2) severity of the allergicreaction (severe reaction vs. mild/moderate reaction: OR=2.34,p=0.007). Our findings suggest that severe insect sting allergyhas an adverse impact on patients' occupational activities.This factor requires special attention by the medical community.Social workers and occupational physicians should collaboratein the assessment and management of these patients.