CLINICAL FEATURES OF ANAPHYLAXIS IN THE EMERGENCY MEDICINE DEPARTMENT OF CHIANGRAI PRACHANUKROH HOSPITAL

Abstract

ABSTACR

BACKGROUND: Anaphylaxis is a serious life-threatening generalized or systemic hypersensitivity reaction that is rapid in onset and might cause of death. There are few data on the clinical feature and management of patients with anaphylaxis presenting to the emergency department. The misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose must result in improper medical care, delayed treatment, which in turn must result in a worsening of the patient's condition.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical features, management and outcome of patients with anaphylaxis presenting to the emergency department, Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital.

METHODS: This was a descriptive retrospective study, patients with anaphylaxis presenting to the emergency department, Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital between October 1^st 2015 to September 30^th 2016. The medical records of 116 patients were reviewed.

RESULTS: 116 patients with anaphylaxis were recruited. The ratio of male to female was 1:1. The mean age was 29.5 years. Cutaneous manifestation was presented in 99.1% of the patients with anaphylaxis. The median duration of onset of anaphylaxis after exposure was 30 minutes. Prawns were the most common cause of anaphylaxis. Epinephrine was used in 73.9%, but none of them died.

CONCLUSIONS AND DISCUSSION: The most common clinical features of anaphylaxis were cutaneous manifestation. The main causes of anaphylaxis were from food. Definitive management in emergency department is possible in most cases, provided that appropriate use of epinephrine and follow up with allergist.