Anaphylaxis trend before and during pandemic: COVID-19 did not affect
anaphylaxis frequency in an Emergency Department in Milan
Abstract
Background: Worldwide data on epidemiology of anaphylaxis are
limited, mostly due to the difficult recording of all cases. The aims of
the study are to determine anaphylaxis frequence to a general E.D.
before and during COVID-19 pandemic, its association with demographic
and clinical characteristics. Methods: This is a retrospective
study analysing clinical records from a general E.D. of Milan in two
periods before (2018-2019) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021).
The analysis regarded demographic data, comorbidities, chronic
therapies, causes, severity and adrenaline use. Globally data were
assessed to find predictive risk factors for a severe reaction.
Results: The frequence of anaphylaxis remained stable,
(120/104129 = 0.12% in 2018-2019 and 72/66720 = 0.1% in 2020-2021). No
differences in the occurrence of anaphylaxis were found in sex and in
the mean age. The main causes of anaphylaxis were food (2018-2019: 53%
vs 2020-2021: 51%) and drugs (2018-2019: 27% vs 2020-2021: 33%).
Hymenoptera stings had a low occurrence and unidentified trigger was
about 15% in each period. The severity of anaphylaxis had a similar
distribution in the two-year periods. Gender, cardiovascular diseases,
food allergy, drug allergy and Hymenoptera venom allergy did not
influence the severity. A positive correlation was found with an
increase in the mean age, especially in patients aged 50 or more
(p<0.001). Angiotensin II receptors blockers, β-blockers,
diuretics and proton pump inhibitors were associated with increasing
severity (p<0.01). Conclusion: The anaphylaxis
frequency in E.D. was not affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Food
anaphylaxis remained the most important cause of admission to the E.D.
in our urban area. More studies are necessary to estimate the real
incidence of all anaphylactic reactions.