The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology In Practice· 2017Q1
Fatal Anaphylaxis: Mortality Rate and Risk Factors
- 532citations
- Q1SCImago
- 2017year
Short summary
Fatal anaphylaxis is rare (<1% of mortality risk for those with known allergies), with stable rates for food/venom but a potential increase in drug-induced cases.
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Key points
- Fatal anaphylaxis is rare, accounting for <1% of total mortality risk even in those with known allergies.
- Rates of fatal anaphylaxis from food and venom are stable, but fatal drug anaphylaxis may be increasing.
- Risk factors and triggers for fatal anaphylaxis differ by cause (e.g., drug vs. food vs. venom).
- Delayed epinephrine administration is a risk factor for fatal food anaphylaxis.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
Up to 5% of the US population has suffered anaphylaxis. Fatal outcome is rare, such that even for people with known venom or food allergy, fatal anaphylaxis constitutes less than 1% of total mortality risk. The incidence of fatal anaphylaxis has not increased in line with hospital admissions for anaphylaxis. Fatal drug anaphylaxis may be increasing, but rates of fatal anaphylaxis to venom and food are stable. Risk factors for fatal anaphylaxis vary according to cause. For fatal drug anaphylaxis, previous cardiovascular morbidity and older age are risk factors, with beta-lactam antibiotics, general anesthetic agents, and radiocontrast injections the commonest triggers. Fatal food anaphylaxis most commonly occurs during the second and third decades. Delayed epinephrine administration is a risk factor; common triggers are nuts, seafood, and in children, milk. For fatal venom anaphylaxis, risk factors include middle age, male sex, white race, cardiovascular disease, and possibly mastocytosis; insect triggers vary by region. Upright posture is a feature of fatal anaphylaxis to both food and venom. The rarity of fatal anaphylaxis and the significant quality of life impact of allergic conditions suggest that quality of life impairment should be a key consideration when making treatment decisions in patients at risk for anaphylaxis.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology In Practice, 2017 · DOI ↗
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Field: Immunology and Allergy
Immunology and AllergyMedicine