Drug-induced angioedema without urticaria: prevalence and clinical features.
BACKGROUND
Angioedema without urticaria can be caused by drugs. The purpose of our study was to assess the prevalence and clinical features of patients with drug-induced angioedema without urticaria.


METHODS
This study retrospectively reviewed case records at Siriraj Hospital, between January 2007 and December 2008. Patients aged at least 15 years were included.


RESULTS
The prevalence of drug-induced angioedema without urticaria among patients with adverse drug reactions was 2.3%/year. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) were the most common cause (50%), followed by antibiotics (20%). The commonest NSAID which induced angioedema were ibuprofen and diclofenac. The common sites were periorbital area (67.3%) and lips (27.6%). The median duration of suspected drug therapy before the development of angioedema was 1 day with the range of 10 min to 23 days.


CONCLUSIONS
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics were the most common drugs causing angioedema without urticaria. The duration of onset ranged from minutes to days. After stopping the suspected drugs, symptoms disappeared within 2-5 days in most patients.
Leeyaphan
C
C
Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Kulthanan
K
K
Jongjarearnprasert
K
K
Dhana
N
N
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000799:Angioedema / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013785:Thailand; D013997:Time Factors; D014581:Urticaria
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal