Epidemiology of anaphylaxis

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Allergy and Immunology
• Mast Cell Biology

Background:

• Anaphylaxis is a severe, mast cell-dependent allergic reaction.
• Incidence is rising, but definitions and data collection are inconsistent.
• Patients are managed across various medical specialties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize current knowledge on anaphylaxis incidence, causes, and risk factors.
• To highlight limitations in anaphylaxis definition and data monitoring.
• To identify key areas for future research and surveillance.

Main Methods:

• Review of published data on anaphylaxis incidence and characteristics.
• Analysis of frequent triggers (food, venom, drugs) and their age-dependency.
• Identification of risk factors including age, comorbidities, and gender.

Main Results:

• Anaphylaxis incidence is increasing globally.
• Food, venom, and drugs are the most frequent causes, varying by age.
• Age, allergic/cardiovascular comorbidities, and gender are identified risk factors.

Conclusions:

• Anaphylaxis is a growing public health concern requiring standardized definitions.
• Understanding triggers and risk factors is crucial for patient management.
• International data collection is needed to monitor trends and identify at-risk populations.