Allergy to General Anesthetics: Evaluation of Patients Profile

Abstract

RationaleIgE-mediated allergic reactions during general anesthesia are estimated to occur in 1:20,000-1:350. The risk factors for having an allergy to general anesthetics are not determined whereas patients with drug allergy are usually atopic females.There are no epidemiologic studies comparing both groups.MethodsTo compare the profile of patients with a history of drug allergy to those sensitized to general anesthetics identified by skin test. We retrospectively reviewed all new patients presenting to our clinic from January till December 2009, including those referred to us because of possible history or risk of allergy to general anesthetics.ResultsThe prevalence of history of drug allergy among our patients is 172/1176 (14,6%) whereas the prevalence of sensitization determined by prick skin testing to general anesthetics is 17/1176 (1,4%). Patients were most commonly sensitized to morphinic agents (16/17) followed by neuromuscular blocking agents (8/17). The patients sensitized to a general anesthetic were commonly women (12/17 or 70,6%) with a mean age of 46.4±7.4. 70,6% had a personal history of atopy. For patients with drug allergy, 98/172 or 57% were women, with a mean age of 40.8 ±2.7. 55,8% had a personal history of atopy.When comparing both profiles, there is no significant difference for age, gender or personal history of atopy.ConclusionPatients sensitized to general anesthetics were mainly middle-aged women with personal history of atopy, similar to patients with other drug allergies. Moreover, these results may identify during the anesthesia pre-op consultation the patients with a significant risk for allergy to general anesthetics. RationaleIgE-mediated allergic reactions during general anesthesia are estimated to occur in 1:20,000-1:350. The risk factors for having an allergy to general anesthetics are not determined whereas patients with drug allergy are usually atopic females.There are no epidemiologic studies comparing both groups. IgE-mediated allergic reactions during general anesthesia are estimated to occur in 1:20,000-1:350. The risk factors for having an allergy to general anesthetics are not determined whereas patients with drug allergy are usually atopic females.There are no epidemiologic studies comparing both groups. MethodsTo compare the profile of patients with a history of drug allergy to those sensitized to general anesthetics identified by skin test. We retrospectively reviewed all new patients presenting to our clinic from January till December 2009, including those referred to us because of possible history or risk of allergy to general anesthetics. To compare the profile of patients with a history of drug allergy to those sensitized to general anesthetics identified by skin test. We retrospectively reviewed all new patients presenting to our clinic from January till December 2009, including those referred to us because of possible history or risk of allergy to general anesthetics. ResultsThe prevalence of history of drug allergy among our patients is 172/1176 (14,6%) whereas the prevalence of sensitization determined by prick skin testing to general anesthetics is 17/1176 (1,4%). Patients were most commonly sensitized to morphinic agents (16/17) followed by neuromuscular blocking agents (8/17). The patients sensitized to a general anesthetic were commonly women (12/17 or 70,6%) with a mean age of 46.4±7.4. 70,6% had a personal history of atopy. For patients with drug allergy, 98/172 or 57% were women, with a mean age of 40.8 ±2.7. 55,8% had a personal history of atopy.When comparing both profiles, there is no significant difference for age, gender or personal history of atopy. The prevalence of history of drug allergy among our patients is 172/1176 (14,6%) whereas the prevalence of sensitization determined by prick skin testing to general anesthetics is 17/1176 (1,4%). Patients were most commonly sensitized to morphinic agents (16/17) followed by neuromuscular blocking agents (8/17). The patients sensitized to a general anesthetic were commonly women (12/17 or 70,6%) with a mean age of 46.4±7.4. 70,6% had a personal history of atopy. For patients with drug allergy, 98/172 or 57% were women, with a mean age of 40.8 ±2.7. 55,8% had a personal history of atopy. When comparing both profiles, there is no significant difference for age, gender or personal history of atopy. ConclusionPatients sensitized to general anesthetics were mainly middle-aged women with personal history of atopy, similar to patients with other drug allergies. Moreover, these results may identify during the anesthesia pre-op consultation the patients with a significant risk for allergy to general anesthetics. Patients sensitized to general anesthetics were mainly middle-aged women with personal history of atopy, similar to patients with other drug allergies. Moreover, these results may identify during the anesthesia pre-op consultation the patients with a significant risk for allergy to general anesthetics.