Anaphylaxis in Latin America: a report of the online Latin American survey on anaphylaxis (OLASA)

Authors

  • Dirceu Sole Federal University of São Paulo; Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology Department of Pediatrics; Division of Allergy
  • Juan Carlos Ivancevich Clínica Santa Isabel; Head of the Division of Allergy and Immunology
  • Mario Sanchez Borges Clínica El Avila; Head of Allergy and Immunology Department
  • Magna Adaci Coelho University of Montes Claros
  • Nelson A. Rosario Federal University of Paraná; Department of Pediatrics
  • Ledit Ramón Francisco Ardusso National University of Rosario; Faculty of Medical Sciences
  • Luis Antônio Guerra Bernd Federal Faculty Foundation of Medical Sciences of Porto Alegre; Division of Immunology and Immunopathology

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S1807-59322011000600004

Keywords:

Anaphylaxis, Drugs, Food, Hymenoptera sp, Epinephrine

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The aims of the Online Latin American Survey of Anaphylaxis (OLASA) were to identify the main clinical manifestations, triggers, and treatments of severe allergic reactions in patients who were seen by allergists from July 2008 to June 2010 in 15 Latin American countries and Portugal (n =634). RESULTS: Of all patients, 68.5% were older than 18 years, 41.6% were male, and 65.4% experienced the allergic reaction at home. The etiologic agent was identified in 87.4% of cases and predominantly consisted of drugs (31.2%), foods (23.3%), and insect stings (14.9%). The main symptom categories observed during the acute episodes were cutaneous (94.0%) and respiratory (79.0%). The majority of patients (71.6%) were treated initially by a physician (office/emergency room) within the first hour after the reaction occurred (60.2%), and 43.5% recovered in the first hour after treatment. Most patients were treated in an emergency setting, but only 37.3% received parenteral epinephrine alone or associated with other medication. However, 80.5% and 70.2% were treated with corticosteroids or antihistamines (alone or in association), respectively. A total of 12.9% of the patients underwent reanimation maneuvers, and 15.2% were hospitalized. Only 5.8% of the patients returned to the emergency room after discharge, with 21.7% returning in the first 6 hours after initial treatment. CONCLUSION: The main clinical manifestations of severe allergic reactions were cutaneous. The etiologic agents that were identified as causing these acute episodes differed according to age group. Following in order: drugs (31.2%), foods (23.3% and insect stings (14.9%) in adults with foods predominance in children. Treatment provided for acute anaphylactic reactions was not appropriate. It is necessary to improve educational programs in order to enhance the knowledge on this potentially fatal emergency.

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Published

2011-01-01

Issue

Section

Clinical Sciences

How to Cite

Anaphylaxis in Latin America: a report of the online Latin American survey on anaphylaxis (OLASA) . (2011). Clinics, 66(6), 943-947. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1807-59322011000600004