Epidemiology of severe anaphylaxis: can we use population-based data to understand anaphylaxis?
File(s)
Published version
Accepted version
Author(s)
Turner, PJ
Campbell, DE
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Purpose of review:
The observed increase in incidence of allergic disease in many regions over the past 3
decades has intensified interest in understanding the epidemiology of severe allergic
reactions. We discuss the issues in collecting and interpreting these data, and highlight
current deficiencies in the current methods of data gathering.
Recent findings:
Anaphylaxis, as measured by hospital admission rates, is not uncommon and has increased
in the UK, USA, Canada and Australia over the last 10-20 years. All large datasets are
hampered by a large proportion of uncoded “unspecified” causes of anaphylaxis. Fatal
anaphylaxis remains a rare event, but appears to be increasing for medication in Australia
Canada and the USA. The rate of fatal food anaphylaxis is stable in the UK and USA, but has
increased in Australia. The age-distribution for fatal food anaphylaxis is different to other
causes, with data suggesting an age-related predisposition to fatal outcomes in teenagers
and adults to the fourth decade of life.
Summary:
The increasing rates of food and medication allergy (the latter exacerbated by an ageing
population) has significant implications for future fatality trends. An improved ability to
accurately gather and analyse population level anaphylaxis data in a harmonised fashion is
required, so as to ultimately minimise risk and improve management.
The observed increase in incidence of allergic disease in many regions over the past 3
decades has intensified interest in understanding the epidemiology of severe allergic
reactions. We discuss the issues in collecting and interpreting these data, and highlight
current deficiencies in the current methods of data gathering.
Recent findings:
Anaphylaxis, as measured by hospital admission rates, is not uncommon and has increased
in the UK, USA, Canada and Australia over the last 10-20 years. All large datasets are
hampered by a large proportion of uncoded “unspecified” causes of anaphylaxis. Fatal
anaphylaxis remains a rare event, but appears to be increasing for medication in Australia
Canada and the USA. The rate of fatal food anaphylaxis is stable in the UK and USA, but has
increased in Australia. The age-distribution for fatal food anaphylaxis is different to other
causes, with data suggesting an age-related predisposition to fatal outcomes in teenagers
and adults to the fourth decade of life.
Summary:
The increasing rates of food and medication allergy (the latter exacerbated by an ageing
population) has significant implications for future fatality trends. An improved ability to
accurately gather and analyse population level anaphylaxis data in a harmonised fashion is
required, so as to ultimately minimise risk and improve management.
Date Issued
2016-08-04
Date Acceptance
2016-07-15
Citation
Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 2016, 16 (5), pp.441-450
ISSN
1528-4050
Publisher
Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
Start Page
441
End Page
450
Journal / Book Title
Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Volume
16
Issue
5
Copyright Statement
This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative
Commons Attribution-Non Commercial License 4.0, where it is permissible
to download, share, remix, transform, and buildup the work provided it
is properly cited. The work cannot be used commercially.
Commons Attribution-Non Commercial License 4.0, where it is permissible
to download, share, remix, transform, and buildup the work provided it
is properly cited. The work cannot be used commercially.
License URL
Sponsor
Medical Research Council (MRC)
National Institute for Health Research
Grant Number
MR/K010468/1
RDD02
Subjects
Allergy
anaphylaxis
epidemiology
Publication Status
Published