Increase in anaphylaxis-related hospitalizations but no increase in fatalities: An analysis of United Kingdom national anaphylaxis data, 1992-2012

BackgroundThe incidence of anaphylaxis might be increasing. Data for fatal anaphylaxis are limited because of the rarity of this outcome.ObjectiveWe sought to document trends in anaphylaxis admissions and fatalities by age, sex, and cause in England and Wales over a 20-year period.MethodsWe extracted data from national databases that record hospital admissions and fatalities caused by anaphylaxis in England and Wales (1992-2012) and crosschecked fatalities against a prospective fatal anaphylaxis registry. We examined time trends and age distribution for fatal anaphylaxis caused by food, drugs, and insect stings.ResultsHospital admissions from all-cause anaphylaxis increased by 615% over the time period…

• MJ
  Mead Johnson Nutrition
• CM
  Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• NI
  National Institute for Health and Care Research
• AA
  Asthma and Lung UK
• PH
  Public Health England
• EA
  European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
• MR
  Medical Research Council

  Awards: MR/K010468/1, MR/K010468/1
• NI
  NIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre