Tolerated wasp sting challenge improves health-related quality of life in patients allergic to wasp venom

摘要

To the Editor: Health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) questionnaires are increasingly used in both research and patient care. Recently, HRQOL research was implemented in the field of wasp venom allergies. The "Vespid Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire" (VQLQ), developed by Oude Elberink et al,1 has become a well-established diagnostic instrument. This questionnaire is based on the hypothesis that the experience of anaphylaxis, the diagnosis of wasp venom allergy, and the potential dangers associated with wasp stings reduce the HRQOL in patients allergic to wasp venom. To measure the HRQOL, we validated this instrument in German (VQLQ-d).2 The VQLQ-d consists of 14 items, each scored on a scale from 1 to 7, which provides an overall 1 to 7 HRQOL score after division by 14. Scores of 5 or less, 5.1 to 6, and 6.1 or more represent the categories of "high impairment," "moderate impairment," and "no/low impairment," respectively.