Psychological profiles of patients with suspected drug allergy

Several studies demonstrate an important association between allergic diseases and patients' psychological characteristics.

To evaluate any differences in the psychological characteristics of patients studied for suspected drug allergy in comparison with healthy controls. A secondary aim was to assess differences between patients with confirmed versus excluded drug allergy, with respect to the clinical aspects.

The psychological characteristics of 115 consecutive patients >16 years-old, studied for suspected drug allergy were assessed. They were compared with healthy controls. Four validated questionnaires were used to evaluate anxiety, depression, alexithymia, and personality type.

Eighty-eight patients completed the evaluation: 34 had confirmed drug allergy and 33 excluded. Forty-eight healthy subjects filled the 4 questionnaires. Increased neuroticism was associated with increased odds of belonging to the excluded drug allergy group (odds ratio [OR], 1.374; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.173-1.609). Increased neuroticism (OR, 1.244; 95% CI, 1.065-1.453) and increased anxiety (OR, 1.210; 95% CI, 1.084-1.351) were associated with increased odds of confirmed drug allergy. However, higher extraversion decreased this likelihood (OR, 0.755; 95% CI, 0.643-0.888). The odds of having confirmed drug allergy was reduced by 79.7% (OR, 0.203; 95% CI, 0.060-0.694) for patients with 2 suspected drugs and by 84.6% (OR, 0.154; 95% CI, 0.029-0.809) for those with ≥3 in comparison to those with only one. Patients with moderate to severe reactions were more likely to have confirmed drug allergy (OR, 4.295; 95% CI, 1.105-16.693) than those with milder manifestations.

Our results highlight that patients with drug allergy have a distinctive psychological profile. Psychological assessment may help to identify patients that would benefit from a targeted intervention.