Retrospective analysis of drug-induced urticaria and angioedema: a survey of 2287 patients.
Urticaria and angioedema (UA) represent a syndrome that is frequently encountered in children and adults. However, although they are often associated (in up to 50% of some patient populations), these two clinical entities should not be considered synonymous because they have distinct clinical and histopathological characteristics. The frequency of UA in drug-induced pathologies is quite high Here we report a retrospective survey of 2287 patients, observed between 1988 and 1997 presenting one or more episodes of drug-induced UA. In 1,973 patients (86.2%) [639 (32.4%) males and 1,334 (67.6%) females] a specific drug responsible for UA was identified. Particularly over the last two years the frequency of drug-induced UA has tended to increase, being more prevalent in females and the majority of cases (576: 23.1%) occuring during the third decade of life. The most frequently involved drugs are anti-inflammatory (particularly acetylsalicylic acid) and antimicrobial agents (mainly beta-lactams).
Nettis
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Department of Medical Clinic, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Bari, Italy. e.nettis@allergy.uniba.it
Marcandrea
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Ferrannini
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000799:Angioedema / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D007769:Lactams; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014581:Urticaria / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D007769:Lactams; D001241:Aspirin