<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<sec><h3>Background</h3>
<p>Beekeepers represent a high-allergic risk population group due to their unavoidable seasonal or persistent exposure to the elicitors of <italic>Hymenoptera</italic> venom allergy, bees in particular. A systematic literature review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the prevalence of self-reported systemic allergic reaction to <italic>Hymenoptera</italic> venom among beekeepers worldwide.</p>
</sec>
<sec><h3>Methods</h3>
<p>We rigorously reviewed and conducted meta-analysis on observational studies retrieved from seven electronic databases (MEDLINE via PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus, Academic Search Complete, ScienceDirect, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Zoological Record), spanning data from inception to August 1, 2023. The Joanna Briggs Institute Prevalence Critical Appraisal Tool was employed to assess the risk of bias. A meta-analysis was conducted to synthesize evidence.</p>
</sec>
<sec><h3>Results</h3>
<p>Out of 468 studies, eight original articles met the inclusion criteria. The estimated overall lifetime and one-year prevalence of self-reported systemic allergic reaction to bee venom were 23.7% (95% CI: 7.7–53.4) and 7.3% (95% CI: 5.8–9.2), respectively. The estimated lifetime prevalence of self-reported systemic allergic reaction to bee venom for grades III–IV (severe systemic allergic reaction) was 6.0% (95% CI: 3.0–11.7). In general, substantial heterogeneity and a high risk of bias were observed across the majority of studies. The impact of geographical location and climate differences on the estimated lifetime prevalence is suggestive for severe systemic allergic reaction.</p>
</sec>
<sec><h3>Conclusions</h3>
<p>Future observational cross-sectional studies should employ rigorous study designs, using validated questionnaires, and thoroughly report the observed health outcomes, verified by physicians.</p>
</sec>
</abstract>

Background
Beekeepers represent a high-allergic risk population group due to their unavoidable seasonal or persistent exposure to the elicitors of Hymenoptera venom allergy, bees in particular. A systematic literature review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the prevalence of self-reported systemic allergic reaction to Hymenoptera venom among beekeepers worldwide.

Methods
We rigorously reviewed and conducted meta-analysis on observational studies retrieved from seven electronic databases (MEDLINE via PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus, Academic Search Complete, ScienceDirect, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Zoological Record), spanning data from inception to August 1, 2023. The Joanna Briggs Institute Prevalence Critical Appraisal Tool was employed to assess the risk of bias. A meta-analysis was conducted to synthesize evidence.

Results
Out of 468 studies, eight original articles met the inclusion criteria. The estimated overall lifetime and one-year prevalence of self-reported systemic allergic reaction to bee venom were 23.7% (95% CI: 7.7–53.4) and 7.3% (95% CI: 5.8–9.2), respectively. The estimated lifetime prevalence of self-reported systemic allergic reaction to bee venom for grades III–IV (severe systemic allergic reaction) was 6.0% (95% CI: 3.0–11.7). In general, substantial heterogeneity and a high risk of bias were observed across the majority of studies. The impact of geographical location and climate differences on the estimated lifetime prevalence is suggestive for severe systemic allergic reaction.

Conclusions
Future observational cross-sectional studies should employ rigorous study designs, using validated questionnaires, and thoroughly report the observed health outcomes, verified by physicians.

The Prevalence of Self-Reported Systemic Allergic Reaction to <italic>Hymenoptera</italic> Venom in Beekeepers Worldwide: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis

University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Medicine

Department of Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics, Faculty of Pharmacy

University Clinic of Respiratory and Allergic Diseases Golnik

Slovenian Journal of Public Health

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

The Prevalence of Self-Reported Systemic Allergic Reaction to  Venom in Beekeepers Worldwide: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis

Ocena Globalne Prevalence Samoporočane Sistemske Alergijske Reakcije Za Strup Kožekrilcev Pri Čebelarjih: Sistematični Pregled Literature in Meta-Analiza

Background
Beekeepers represent a high-allergic risk population group due to their unavoidable seasonal or persistent exposure to the elicitors of Hymenoptera...

The Prevalence of Self-Reported Systemic Allergic Reaction to Hymenoptera Venom in Beekeepers Worldwide: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis

Article Category: Systematic review article

Published Online: Jun 14, 2024

Page range: 152 - 159

Received: Mar 08, 2024

Accepted: May 19, 2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/sjph-2024-0020

Keywords
Public health, Venom, hypersensitivity, Prevalence, Beekeeping

© 2024 Tanja Carli et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

The Prevalence of Self-Reported Systemic Allergic Reaction to Hymenoptera Venom in Beekeepers Worldwide: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis

Article Category: Systematic review article

Published Online: Jun 14, 2024

Page range: 152 - 159

Received: Mar 08, 2024

Accepted: May 19, 2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/sjph-2024-0020

KeywordsPublic health, Venom, hypersensitivity, Prevalence, Beekeeping

© 2024 Tanja Carli et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
Public health, Venom, hypersensitivity, Prevalence, Beekeeping