[Agranulocytosis from metamizole: a potential problem for the British population].
OBJECTIVE
Analyze the clinical and epidemiological features of this adverse effect and assess its incidence in the general population, especially in the British one.


METHODS
A descriptive, retrospective analysis of all the patients discharged at Hospital Costa del Sol (Marbella) with a main diagnosis of dipyrone-related agranulocytosis in the Minimum Basic Data Set (MBDS) from January 1998 to December 2003. Neutropenia was defined as severe (neutrophils lower than 500/ml), moderate (500-1000/ml) and mild (1000-1500/ml).


RESULTS
13 patients developed dipyrone-related agranulocytosis, 8 of them foreign (61.5%) and 5 from United Kingdom. The rate of events was 8.33/106 inhabitants/year. With regard to British population registered in the area, the estimated rate of events was 20.4 cases/106 inhabitants/year.


CONCLUSIONS
Dipyrone-related agranulocytosis is an adverse effect more frequent in British population, and its use must be avoided.
Mérida Rodrigo
L
L
Unidad de Medicina Interna. Area de Medicina. Hospital Costa del Sol. Marbella. Málaga. España. luismr@hcs.es
Faus Felipe
V
V
Poveda Gómez
F
F
García Alegría
J
J
D000380:Agranulocytosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004177:Dipyrone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D004177:Dipyrone