Anaphylaxis in the community: a questionnaire survey of members of the UK Anaphylaxis Campaign. (7th July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sheikh, Aadam; Dhami, Sangeeta; Regent, Lynne; Austin, Moira; Sheikh, Aziz
• Is Part Of: JRSM open. Volume 6:Number 7(2015:Jul.)
• Publication Date: 2015-07-07
• Subjects: anaphylaxis -- allergy -- asthma -- adrenaline -- food allergens -- prevention -- self-management; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1177/2054270415593443
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2054-2704

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the circumstances, features and management of anaphylaxis in children and adults. Design: Self-completed questionnaire. Participants: The age of participants ranged from 0 to 72 years. Setting: We analysed data from self-completed questionnaires collected over a 12-year period, i.e. 2001–2013, available to people by phone and, since 2012, for online completion through the Anaphylaxis Campaign. Main outcome measure: We analysed data from self-completed questionnaires collected over a 12- year period, i.e. 2001-2013, available to people by phone and, since 2012, for online completion through the Anaphylaxis Campaign Results: In total, 356 questionnaires were submitted, of which 54 did not meet the criteria for anaphylaxis. The remaining 302 anaphylactic reactions originated from 243 individuals; 193 (64%) of these reactions were in children. Approximately half of all reactions occurred at home ( n = 148; 49%); 61% ( n = 193) of reactions occurred in those reporting a history of asthma, and many ( n = 76; 41%) of these individuals had asthma that they classified as being severe. In 57% ( n = 173) cases, the respondent reacted to a known allergen. Self-injectable adrenaline (epinephrine) was available in 79% of the cases, and it was only used in 38% of episodes. The usage of self-injected adrenaline was lower in children (30%) than in adults (54%), even though 82% of children had adrenaline available at the time of the reaction compared to 74% of adults. Conclusions: These data suggest that the majority of anaphylaxis reactions are triggered by exposure to known food allergens and that approximately half of these reactions occur at home. Access to self-injectable adrenaline was sub-optimal and when available it was only used in a minority of cases. Avoiding triggers, access to self-injectable adrenaline and its prompt use in the context of reactions need to be reinforced.