Pattern of inpatient referrals to a drug allergy unit in Kuwait
Affiliations
Affiliations
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, P.O. Box 24923, Safat 13110, Kuwait Phone: +965-24636515 Fax: +965-25332719 E-mail: Alahmadm@hsc.edu.kw; Drug Allergy Unit, Department of Allergy, Al-Rashed Allergy Center, Ministry of Health, Kuwait.
- Drug Allergy Unit, Department of Allergy, Al-Rashed Allergy Center, Ministry of Health, Kuwait.
Abstract
Introduction. There is no information regarding the pattern of inpatient referrals to drug allergy units in Kuwait. Objectives. The main goal of this study is to clarify the pattern of inpatient referrals to a drug allergy unit in terms of incidence, drugs implicated and allergy evaluation outcomes in comparison with studies in other countries. Patients and Methods. A retrospective chart review of inpatient drug allergy consultations at Al-Rashed Allergy Center over a 3-year period was performed. Results. A total of 51 patients were referred for drug allergy consultations, with an estimated incidence of reported drug allergy among inpatients of 0.008%. There is an increasing trend of referrals from public health centres located in proximity to Al-Rashed Allergy Center. Beta-lactams, contrast media, and general anaesthetics were the most common drugs leading to referrals. In total, 30% of patients were diagnosed with an allergy to the offending drug after a full allergy evaluation. Conclusion. Inpatient drug allergy referrals are highly underreported in Kuwait.
Keywords: Kuwait; drug hypersensitivity; inpatients; referral and consultation.
References
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/