Abstract
IntroductionAnaphylaxis is defined as a severe, life-threatening systemic hypersensitivity reaction. Early diagnosis and treatment of a severe allergic reaction requires recognition of the signs and symptoms, as well as classification of severity. It is a clinical emergency, and healthcare providers should have the knowledge for recognition and management. The aim of the study is to evaluate the level of knowledge in the management of anaphylaxis in healthcare providers. MethodsIt is an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted among healthcare providers over 18 years old via a Google Forms link and shared through different social media platforms. A 12-item questionnaire was applied which included the evaluation of the management of anaphylaxis, from June 2020 to May 2021. ResultsA total of 1023 surveys were evaluated; 1013 met inclusion criteria and were included in the statistical analysis. A passing grade was considered with 8 or more correct answers out of 12; the overall approval percentage was 28.7%. The group with the highest percentage of approval in the questionnaire was health-care providers with more than 30 years of work experience. There was a significant difference between the proportions of approval between all specialty groups, and in a post-hoc analysis, allergy and immunology specialists showed greater proportions of approval compared to general medicine practitioners (62.9% vs 25%; p=<0.001). ConclusionsIt is important that healthcare providers know how to recognize, diagnose, and treat anaphylaxis, and later refer them to specialists in Allergy and Clinical Immunology in order to make a personalized diagnosis and treatment.
Highlights
Anaphylaxis is defined as a severe, life-threatening systemic hypersensitivity reaction
There was a significant difference between the proportions of approval between all specialty groups, and in a post-hoc analysis, allergy and immunology specialists showed greater proportions of approval compared to general medicine practitioners (62.9% vs 25%; p1⁄4
It is important that healthcare providers know how to recognize, diagnose, and treat anaphylaxis, and later refer them to specialists in Allergy and Clinical Immunology in order to make a personalized diagnosis and treatment
Summary
Anaphylaxis is defined as a severe, life-threatening systemic hypersensitivity reaction. Diagnosis and treatment of a severe allergic reaction requires recognition of the signs and symptoms, as well as classification of severity. It is a clinical emergency, and healthcare providers should have the knowledge for recognition and management. Anaphylaxis is defined as a severe, lifethreatening systemic hypersensitivity reaction characterized by sudden onset, with respiratory and cardiovascular symptoms, and usually presenting with skin symptoms.[1,2]. Evidence indicates that the majority of patients at high risk for anaphylactic events are not receiving prescriptions for epinephrine autoinjectors in a timely manner.[6] Studies have shown that a large percentage of patients (57%) who present to the emergency room (ER) with anaphylaxis can be misdiagnosed. In addition to being underdiagnosed, anaphylaxis is undertreated in the ERs, and many patients who should be carrying epinephrine autoinjectors are not receiving prescriptions for them.[6]
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