Evaluation of post-traumatic stress disorder in parents of children with a history of anaphylaxis

Abstract

IntroductionAnaphylaxis is a life-threatening systemic allergic reaction that has increased in prevalence in recent years. A meaningful proportion of children and parents showed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms after anaphylaxis. ObjectiveThis study aims to reveal the presence of PTSD and clinical features associated with PTSD in parents of children with a history of anaphylaxis. Material and methodsThe study included 54 cases of anaphylaxis in children under the age of 18 years who applied to the pediatric allergy outpatient clinic of our hospital between 01.06.2020 and 31.05.2021 and their parents. Parents were evaluated with the “Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5”. ResultsThe mean age of the children was 6.4±6.1 years and 28 (52%) of the patients were female. The triggering cause of anaphylaxis was determined from history-taking and physical examinations in 39 (72%) patients. The most common causative agents were foods (n=27, 50%), followed by drugs (n=7, 13%) and venom (n=5, 9%). PTSD was detected in 25 (46%) of parents. Factors affecting the development of PTSD in parents of children with a history of anaphylaxis were evaluated by logistic regression analysis. Accordingly, it was determined that having a history of food-induced anaphylaxis in the child (OR: 7.62, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15–50.58), having a diagnosis of idiopathic anaphylaxis (OR: 9.91, 95% CI: 1.12–87.51), having severe anaphylaxis (OR: 9.09, 95% CI: 1.21–68.26) and having a child in the first two years of life (OR: 7.66, 95% CI: 1.16–50.42) increased the likelihood of PTSD in parents. ConclusionThe results of our study demonstrate that parents with children who have a history of anaphylaxis are at risk for PTSD. Psychological evaluation a part of routine medical examination of patients with anaphylaxis and their families may enable early detection of PTSD, which is strongly associated with a broad range of psychiatric disorders.