Surveillance of contrast-media-induced hypersensitivity reactions using signals from an electronic medical recording system

Risk factors of anaphylaxis in Korea: Identifying drug-induced anaphylaxis culprits using big data

Drug-induced anaphylaxis is a fatal medical condition whose incidence has been increasing continuously. Due to differences between genetic backgrounds and health care systems, different populations may be prone to various causative drugs. Using the Health Insurance Service and Assessment Service database, we investigated culprit drugs for drug-induced anaphylaxis and common medication risk factors in the Korean general population. We collected medical prescription histories within 3 days prior to anaphylaxis between January 2011 and December 2019 from the HIRA database. Designed as a case-crossover study, the attributable visits (case visits) were matched to medical visits (control visits) with the drug sets for each visit. We collected a list of medication risk factors for anaphylaxis and calculated the risk ratio of each agent using the chi-square test and conditional logistic regression analysis. A total of 159,473 individuals were listed in the database with a diagnosis of anaphylaxis in the HIRA from 2011 to 2019. After evaluating the suitability of control visits for matching with a case visit, 8168 subjects and 767 drugs were analyzed. The chi-square analysis identified 31 drugs as potential risk factors for drug-induced anaphylaxis in Korea. After applying a conditional logistic regression analysis for each agent, 5 drugs were found to be the common medication risk factors for drug-induced anaphylaxis: cefaclor, iopromide, iohexol, iomeprol, and tolperisone. We found 5 medication risk factors that showed the highest risk of drug-induced anaphylaxis and their degree of risk using an objective methodology in the Korean general population.

The Use of Electronic Health Records to Study Drug-Induced Hypersensitivity Reactions from 2000 to 2021

Electronic health records (EHRs) have revolutionized the field of drug hypersensitivity reaction (DHR) research. In this systematic review, we assessed 140 articles from 2000-2021, classifying them under six themes: observational studies (n=61), clinical documentation (n=27), case management (n=22), clinical decision support (CDS) (n=18), case identification (n=9), and genetic studies (n=3). EHRs provide convenient access to millions of medical records, facilitating epidemiological studies of DHRs. Though the goal of CDS is to promote safe drug prescribing, allergy alerts must be designed and used in a way that supports this effort. Ultimately, accurate allergy documentation is essential for DHR prevention.

Mas-Related G Protein–Coupled Receptor-X2 and Its Role in Non-immunoglobulin E–Mediated Drug Hypersensitivity

A diverse group of Food and Drug Administration-approved cationic drugs including antibiotics, neuromuscular blocking drugs, opioids, antidepressants, and radiocontrast media activate mast cells and cause hypersensitivity reactions by both an immunoglobulin E IgE-dependent and independent manner. The recent discovery that these drugs activate mast cells via the G protein-coupled receptor known as Mas-related GPCR-X2 (MRGPRX2) has represented a paradigm shift of how drug hypersensitivity reactions are viewed. This article provides an overview of the current status of the role of MRGPRX2 on non-IgE-mediated drug hypersensitivity. Potential risk factors and evaluation for suspected MRGPRX2-mediated drug reactions are also discussed.

Clinical implication of detecting sensitization to iodinated radiocontrast media in the basophil activation test by flow cytometry

The use of iodinated radiocontrast media is necessary for visualization. A number of patients have adverse effects of various nature and severity when these drugs are administered. Routine allergy tests do not provide adequate diagnosis of reactions to drugs in this group. The aim of this work is to assess the capabilities of the basophil activation test to confirm sensitization to non-ionic iodinated radiocontrast media, as well as to select a safe alternative drug in patients with a burdened history. Basophil activation test by flow cytometry was performed in 184 patients The Nikiforov Russian Centre of Emergency and Radiation Medicine» EMERCOM of Russia and 32 volunteers using ultravist, omnipack, and optiray. The presence of sensitization was assessed based on the basophil activation index, as well as spontaneous and anti-IgE antibody-induced activation of basophils and the population of T-lymphocytes type 2 immune response. The volunteers showed no sensitization to iodinated radiocontrast media. In patients with a medium degree of hypersensitivity reaction in vivo, in vitro sensitization to drugs was detected 4 times more often than in patients with a mild degree (51% versus 13.5%). In patients with systemic reactions to the administration of a known drug, in vitro sensitization was confirmed in 86% of cases, while the frequency of detection of sensitization to drugs did not differ. Spontaneous activation of basophils in patients and type 2 T-lymphocytes were 2 times higher than in volunteers. Patients were more likely to have low (less than 30%) activation of basophils for anti-IgE antibodies. The specificity of the basophil activation test with iodinated radiocontrast media was 100% with a sensitivity of 94.1%. Most patients were able to select a non-sensitizing contrast. Inclusion in the algorithm of spontaneous and anti-IgE antibody-induced activation of basophils and a population of T-lymphocytes type 2 immune response will allow the doctor to carry out a personalized approach to the management of patients with a burdened history.

HLA-DRB1*15: 02 Is Associated With Iodinated Contrast Media-Related Anaphylaxis

BACKGROUND

The incidence of severe reaction induced by iodinated contrast media (ICM) has increased over the years with an increasing use of imaging modalities. Although ICM anaphylaxis is rare, it can be life-threatening, but currently, there is no biomarker that can identify individuals at risk of ICM anaphylaxis.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to investigate the genetic susceptibility of ICM anaphylaxis.

METHODS

Patients who had ICM anaphylaxis were enrolled in the study, and their blood samples were collected for genotyping of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A, -B, -C, and -DR. The results were compared with those of healthy Korean general population. MRGPRX2 gene in ICM anaphylaxis group was also sequenced and compared with the Korean standard database of genetic polymorphism.

RESULTS

The frequencies of 3 HLA alleles (B*52:01, C*12:02, and DRB1*15:02) were significantly higher in 47 patients with ICM anaphylaxis. In particular, HLA-DRB1*15:02 was 5 times more frequent in the ICM anaphylaxis group than the Korean general population (34.0% vs 6.6%; odds ratio, 7.306; 95% confidence interval, 3.622-14.740), and this difference was most pronounced in subjects with iohexol-induced anaphylaxis (odds ratio, 16.516; 95% CI, 5.241-52.047; P < 0.0001). Eight single nucleotide polymorphisms were identified in MRGPRX2 gene, but their frequencies were not different in those with ICM anaphylaxis compared with the general Korean population.

CONCLUSIONS

HLA-DRB1*15:02 is associated with ICM anaphylaxis in the Korean population.

Use of standardized terminologies in clinical practice: A scoping review

AIM

To explore the use and impact of standardized terminologies (STs) within nursing and midwifery practice.

INTRODUCTION

The standardization of clinical documentation creates a potential to optimize patient care and safety. Nurses and midwives, who represent the largest proportion of the healthcare workforce worldwide, have been using nursing-specific and multidisciplinary STs within electronic health records (EHRs) for decades. However, little is known regarding ST use and impact within clinical practice.

METHODS

A scoping review of the literature was conducted (2019) across PubMed, CINAHL, Embase and CENTRAL in collaboration with the Five Country Nursing and Midwifery Digital Leadership Group (DLG). Identified studies (n = 3547) were reviewed against a number of agreed criterion, and data were extracted from included studies. Studies were categorized and findings were reviewed by the DLG.

RESULTS

One hundred and eighty three studies met the inclusion criteria. These were conducted across 25 different countries and in various healthcare settings, utilising mainly nursing-specific (most commonly NANDA-I, NIC, NOC and the Omaha System) and less frequently local, multidisciplinary or medical STs (e.g., ICD). Within the studies, STs were evaluated in terms of Measurement properties, Usability, Documentation quality, Patient care, Knowledge generation, and Education (pre and post registration). As well as the ST content, the impact of the ST on practice depended on the healthcare setting, patient cohort, nursing experience, provision of education and support in using the ST, and usability of EHRs.

CONCLUSION

Employment of STs in clinical practice has the capability to improve communication, quality of care and interoperability, as well as facilitate value-based healthcare and knowledge generation. However, employment of several different STs and study heterogeneity renders it difficult to aggregate and generalize findings.

Secondary use of standardized nursing care data for advancing nursing science and practice: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

The study sought to present the findings of a systematic review of studies involving secondary analyses of data coded with standardized nursing terminologies (SNTs) retrieved from electronic health records (EHRs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We identified studies that performed secondary analysis of SNT-coded nursing EHR data from PubMed, CINAHL, and Google Scholar. We screened 2570 unique records and identified 44 articles of interest. We extracted research questions, nursing terminologies, sample characteristics, variables, and statistical techniques used from these articles. An adapted STROBE (Strengthening The Reporting of OBservational Studies in Epidemiology) Statement checklist for observational studies was used for reproducibility assessment.

RESULTS

Forty-four articles were identified. Their study foci were grouped into 3 categories: (1) potential uses of SNT-coded nursing data or challenges associated with this type of data (feasibility of standardizing nursing data), (2) analysis of SNT-coded nursing data to describe the characteristics of nursing care (characterization of nursing care), and (3) analysis of SNT-coded nursing data to understand the impact or effectiveness of nursing care (impact of nursing care). The analytical techniques varied including bivariate analysis, data mining, and predictive modeling.

DISCUSSION

SNT-coded nursing data extracted from EHRs is useful in characterizing nursing practice and offers the potential for demonstrating its impact on patient outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provides evidence of the value of SNT-coded nursing data in EHRs. Future studies are needed to identify additional useful methods of analyzing SNT-coded nursing data and to combine nursing data with other data elements in EHRs to fully characterize the patient's health care experience.

Differences in Adverse Reactions Among Iodinated Contrast Media: Analysis of the KAERS Database

BACKGROUND

The various adverse drug reactions (ADRs) arise from different types of iodinated contrast media (ICM).

OBJECTIVE

Thus, we investigated the occurrence rate and types of ADRs according to the total usage cases of the 7 most common ICM.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 74,242 causal ADRs caused by ICM from the Korea Adverse Event Reporting System database between January 2014 and December 2016. The 11,712,796 total usage cases that represent all administrations of ICM reported from individual medical institutions were received from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. A proportionality test was used to examine the differences in the frequency ratio of causal ADRs to total usage cases.

RESULTS

Immediate hypersensitivity (44,467 cases, 88.56%) occurred more frequently than delayed hypersensitivity (5,725 cases, 11.4%; P < .001). The overall occurrence rate of causal ADRs and serious ADRs considering total usage cases was 0.37% and 0.02%, respectively (P < .001). The ICM most commonly resulting in ADRs were iomeprol (0.7%) and iopromide (0.59%). The serious ADRs were most common for iomeprol (0.05%). When ADRs were classified according to the system organ class, "skin and appendages disorders" (47,065 cases, 63.4%) occurred most common. Iodixanol resulted in the highest frequency of "urinary system disorders."

CONCLUSIONS

By comparison of the ADRs considering total usage cases, the incidence and classification of ADRs were different for each contrast medium. A prospective study is needed because the differences in these 7 major contrast media may assist in the selection of ICM tailored for each patient.

Oral Allergy Syndrome in Birch Pollen-Sensitized Patients from a Korean University Hospital

BACKGROUND

Oral allergy syndrome (OAS) is a type of allergic reaction that mainly occurs on oral contact with raw fruit, vegetables, or nuts. The most common type of OAS is birch pollen-related food allergy. Although OAS is a common food allergy in adults, only few epidemiologic studies have been reported in Korea. Here we investigate the prevalence and triggers of birch pollen-related food allergy.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective chart review of 1,427 patients who underwent a skin prick test for inhalant allergens at the Asthma and Allergy Clinic in Seoul National University Bundang Hospital from January 2011 to December 2016.

RESULTS

Of 1,427 patients, 125 (8.7%) were sensitized to birch pollen. Among them, 20.0% developed OAS, which was the most common food allergy (96.2%). The prevalence of OAS was higher in females, and was 18.2% in birch pollen-sensitized allergic rhinoconjunctivitis patients. Further, 72.0% OAS patients had rhinoconjunctivitis, 20.0% had asthma, and 12.0% had chronic urticaria. Apple (68.0%), peach (56.0%), nuts (36.0%), kiwi (20.0%), persimmon (20.0%), plum (16.0%), and cherry (16.0%) were frequent triggers; however, Chinese yam, kudzu vine, bellflower root, codonopsis, and ginseng were also revealed as triggers. Patients (60.0%) showed OAS with ≥ 3 foods at the same time. Only 3 patients showed mono-sensitivity to birch pollen, while others were multi-sensitized to trees, grasses, weed, or house dust mite allergens.

CONCLUSION

OAS was the most common food allergy in birch pollen-sensitized patients. This study revealed the unique triggers of OAS in Korea in addition to well-known triggers.

Standard-based comprehensive detection of adverse drug reaction signals from nursing statements and laboratory results in electronic health records

Objective. We propose 2 Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities–enabled pharmacovigilance algorithms, MetaLAB and MetaNurse, powered by a per-year meta-analysis technique and improved subject sampling strategy.

Matrials and methods. This study developed 2 novel algorithms, MetaLAB for laboratory abnormalities and MetaNurse for standard nursing statements, as significantly improved versions of our previous electronic health record (EHR)–based pharmacovigilance method, called CLEAR. Adverse drug reaction (ADR) signals from 117 laboratory abnormalities and 1357 standard nursing statements for all precautionary drugs (n  = 101) were comprehensively detected and validated against SIDER (Side Effect Resource) by MetaLAB and MetaNurse against 11 817 and 76 457 drug-ADR pairs, respectively.

Results. We demonstrate that MetaLAB (area under the curve, AUC = 0.61 ± 0.18) outperformed CLEAR (AUC = 0.55 ± 0.06) when we applied the same 470 drug-event pairs as the gold standard, as in our previous research. Receiver operating characteristic curves for 101 precautionary terms in the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities Preferred Terms were obtained for MetaLAB and MetaNurse (0.69 ± 0.11; 0.62 ± 0.07), which complemented each other in terms of ADR signal coverage. Novel ADR signals discovered by MetaLAB and MetaNurse were successfully validated against spontaneous reports in the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System database.

Discussion. The present study demonstrates the symbiosis of laboratory test results and nursing statements for ADR signal detection in terms of their system organ class coverage and performance profiles.

Conclusion. Systematic discovery and evaluation of the wide spectrum of ADR signals using standard-based observational electronic health record data across many institutions will affect drug development and use, as well as postmarketing surveillance and regulation.

Electronic Consultation Support System for Radiocontrast Media Hypersensitivity Changes Clinicians' Behavior

Purpose

Patients with a history of radiocontrast media (RCM) hypersensitivity can be overlooked, resulting in repeated reactions. Therefore, a consultation support system for RCM hypersensitivity has been in operation at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital since December 2011. We analyzed the effect of this system on physicians' practice.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted on patients with previous RCM reactions (December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2012). The control period was December 2010 to November 2011, and the intervention period was December 2011 to November 2012. The primary outcome was the composite outcome of premedication and consultation. Premedication was defined as preventive medication prescribed by the physician who ordered RCM-enhanced computed tomography (CT) at the same time. The secondary outcome was the recurrence rate after using the consultation support system.

Results

A total of 189 clinicians prescribed 913 CT scans during the control period and 225 clinicians performed 1,153 examinations during the intervention period. The odds ratio (OR) of achieving the composite outcome increased significantly after use of the consultation support system (OR, 1.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15–2.05). Clinicians in both medical (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.06–2.07) and surgical (OR, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.24–3.46) departments showed significant changes in their behavior, whereas those in the emergency department did not (OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.41–2.78). Professors (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.06–2.04) and trainees (OR, 1.97, 95% CI, 1.22–3.18) showed significant changes in their behavior toward patients with previous RCM reactions. The behavior of 86 clinicians who ordered CT scans during both the control and intervention periods was unchanged.

Conclusions

The consultation support system for those with previous RCM hypersensitivity reactions changed physicians' practice patterns and decreased recurrent RCM hypersensitivity reactions as well.

Biphasic and protracted anaphylaxis to iodinated contrast media

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the prevalence of biphasic and protracted anaphylaxis to iodinated contrast media (ICM), their risk factors and practical observation duration for detecting biphasic reaction.

METHODS

145 patients with ICM anaphylaxis from January 2005-February 2016 were retrospectively categorised into uniphasic, biphasic (anaphylaxis recurrence within 72 h after resolution of initial anaphylaxis) and protracted (anaphylaxis >5 h) reaction groups. Multivariate regression analyses of potential risk factors were performed. We calculated negative predictive value (NPV) for biphasic reactions and additional person-hours required to detect one case during post-anaphylaxis observation.

RESULTS

Fifteen patients had biphasic reactions with secondary reactions with similar or milder severity and six had protracted reactions. Most significant risk factors were anaphylaxis duration >40 min for biphasic reactions (odds ratio (OR), 8.65 [95 % CI, 1.05-70.71]; P=0.044), and additional epinephrine administration within 1 h of initial dosing for protracted reactions (OR, 102.0 [95 % CI, 3.40-3057.25]; P=0.008). A 6-h post-anaphylaxis observation produced NPV of 96.4 %, while requiring a minimum of 65.5 additional person-hours to detect one additional case.

CONCLUSION

Biphasic and protracted ICM anaphylaxis developed in 10.3 % and 4.1 %, respectively, with revealing risk factors. Six hours could be practical for post-anaphylaxis observation to detect biphasic reaction.

KEY POINTS

• Incidence of biphasic anaphylaxis in iodinated contrast media anaphylaxis is 10.3 %. • Incidence of protracted anaphylaxis in iodinated contrast media anaphylaxis is 4.1 %. • Initial anaphylaxis >40 min can predict for biphasic anaphylaxis development. • A 6-h post-anaphylactic observation in ICM-related anaphylaxis seems practical.

Contrast Media-Induced Anaphylaxis Causing a Stress-Related Cardiomyopathy Post Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Case Report

Anaphylaxis is a sudden-onset, severe hypersensitivity reaction that can be potentially fatal. It can often transition to refractory hemodynamic instability, eventually resulting in death. Stress-related cardiomyopathies (SRCs) have multifactorial etiologies, including being linked to excessive catecholamine release in periods of intense stress. This novel case report recounts a SRC caused by contrast-induced anaphylaxis within 1 hour post percutaneous coronary intervention. Both acutely life-threatening conditions may occur simultaneously and are implicated with devastating complications. Further research is required to understand this cardiac-neuroaxis interplay in SRC to identify risk factors and develop management strategies.

The efficacy of single premedication with antihistamines for radiocontrast media hypersensitivity

Background

Single premedication with antihistamines for radiocontrast media (RCM) hypersensitivity is frequently used in real world at the emergent situation although its efficacy is not proven.

Objective

To evaluate the effect of intravenous antihistamines as a premedication in general population who had experience of mild adverse reactions to iodinated RCM.

Methods

A retrospective observational study on 14,785 subjects who had RCM-enhanced computed tomography scans between January 2014 and December 2015 in Seoul National University Hospital Gangnam Healthcare Center, Seoul, South Korea.

Results

Among 453 subjects who had a history of mild RCM-induced hypersensitivity reactions, 273 subjects had a single premedication of intravenous antihistamine. When comparing antihistamine-premedication group and nonpremedication group, there is no protective effect of antihistamines on the incidence rate and severity of hypersensitivity (10.6% vs. 11.7%, p = 0.729).

Conclusion

The clinical efficacy of a single premedication of antihistamines for mild RCM-induced hypersensitivity was not confirmed.

The usefulness of a mobile device-based system for patient-reported outcomes in a spine outpatient clinic

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are typically collected using a paper form, but this format is cumbersome to incorporate into outpatient clinic visits as well as in research. Therefore, we developed a mobile device-based system (mobile system) for spinal PRO. We hypothesized that this system may improve the quality of care in an outpatient clinic.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to analyze the patient-reported efficacy of a mobile system through a survey of patients' responses compared with a paper system.

STUDY DESIGN/SETTING

A prospective observational study was carried out.

PATIENT SAMPLE

Surveys were conducted for 103 patients who had experience using both the paper and electronic systems in the outpatient clinic.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Patient-reported positive response score (PRS) was the outcome measure.

METHODS

The survey included the characteristics of the patients (sex, age, use of smartphone, familiarity with smartphone applications, proficiency of typing with mobile device, site of pain, and education level) and eight questions in four domains: (1) efficacy in the waiting room, (2) efficacy during the clinic visit, (3) overall satisfaction, and (4) opinion about the use of this system. The response to each question was scored from 1 to 5 (1, negative; 5, positive response). The patient-reported PRS was calculated by adding the scores of the 8 questions and converting the total range to 0-100 (60, neutral).

RESULTS

The mean PRS of the 8 questions was 79.8 (95% CI, 76.7-83.9). The mean PRS was 78.9 (75.6-82.2) at the waiting room and was 80.5 (77.1-83.9) during the clinic. The PRS for overall satisfaction and use of this system were 83.3 (79.6-87.0) and 77.1 (71.9-82.3), respectively. The use of smartphones and the proficiency of typing were independently significant predictors of PRS with an R(2) value of 0.325.

CONCLUSIONS

The mobile device-based system improved the patient-reported efficacy in spine outpatient clinics. However, various factors such as the use of smartphones need to be considered when developing and applying mobile systems.

Should patients with risk factors be tested for hypersensitivity to contrast media: a prospective study

BACKGROUND

Previous hypersensitivity reactions to contrast media (CM), atopy, atopic disease, drug allergy, and age (20-29 or >55) are risk factors for CM hypersensitivity reactions. Our aim was to evaluate whether these risk factors should prompt skin testing for diagnosing CM allergy.

METHODS

The study was conducted among patients referred for allergy testing with CM. Skin tests were performed with non ionic or gadolinium CM, recommended by a radiologist. After completion of tests patients were telephonically queried on their symptoms of reactions.

RESULTS

151 risk patients (53 men, 98 women; mean age 55.2) were included in the study. Only 13 (9 %) had a history of hypersensitivity reaction to CM. Compared with the other patients, atopy was significantly more common in patients with a history of CM hypersensitivity reactions. Female gender and mean age were also higher, but not significant. All of the tests with CMs were negative. Only one patient reported urticaria within 1-2 min after administration of CM (telephonically).

CONCLUSIONS

Atopy can increase the risk of CM allergy. However, skin tests with CMs may be inefficient, unnecessary, and time-consuming, except in cases with a history of CM allergy. Premedication protocols appear to be beneficial in patients with a history of CM allergy and cannot be recommended for patients with well-controlled asthma, rhinitis, atopic dermatitis or history of drug allergy.

Anaphylaxis to iodinated contrast media: clinical characteristics related with development of anaphylactic shock

Objective

Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of radiocontrast media (RCM) induced hypersensitivity and can be life-threatening if profound hypotension is combined. With increased use of iodine based RCM, related hypersensitivity is rapidly growing. However, the clinical characteristics and risk factors of RCM induced anaphylaxis accompanied by hypotension (anaphylactic shock) are not clearly defined. This study was performed to investigate the risk factors of RCM induced anaphylactic shock and the clinical value of RCM skin testing to identify causative agents in affected patients.

Methods

We analyzed the data of RCM induced anaphylaxis monitored by an inhospital pharmacovigilance center at a tertiary teaching hospital from January 2005 to December 2012 and compared the clinical features and skin test results according to the accompanying hypotension.

Results

Among total of 104 cases of RCM induced anaphylaxis, 34.6% of patients, developed anaphylaxis on their first exposure to RCM. Anaphylactic patients presenting with shock were older (57.4 vs. 50.1 years, p = 0.026) and had a history of more frequently exposure to RCM (5.1±7.8 vs. 1.9±3.3, p = 0.004) compared to those without hypotension. Among RCMs, hypotension was more frequent in anaphylaxis related to iopromide compared to other agents (85.0% vs. 61.4%, p = 0.011). Skin tests were performed in 51 patients after development of RCM induced anaphylaxis. Overall skin test positivity to RCM was 64.7% and 81.8% in patients with anaphylactic shock.

Conclusion

RCM induced anaphylactic shock is related to multiple exposures to RCM and most patients showed skin test positivity to RCM.

Radiocontrast media hypersensitivity in the Asia Pacific region

Radiocontrast media (RCM) is a major cause of drug hypersensitivity reactions as the medical application of RCM is increasing recently. RCM induced hypersensitivity reactions are considered as unpredictable type B reactions. Underlying mechanism of RCM induced hypersensitivity was previously regarded as nonimmunological mechanisms but recent studies suggest that immunological mechanisms could also be involved. As a result, the roles of skin tests and premedication are revisiting. As there has been no report that comprehensively summarized and analyzed the results of the studies on RCM hypersensitivity in the Asia Pacific region, we aimed to review the literatures on hypersensitivity reactions to RCM in terms of prevalence clinical manifestations, diagnostic approach, and preventive measures in the Asia Pacific region.

Recent applications of basophil activation tests in the diagnosis of drug hypersensitivity

Immediate-type drug hypersensitivity is an increasingly significant clinical issue; however, the diagnosis is frequently hindered due to lack of safe and precise diagnostic tests. Flow cytometry-assisted basophil activation test is a safe in vitro diagnostic tool for assessing basophil activation upon allergen stimulation. In this review, we have summarized current literature on the diagnostic utilities, new indications, and methodological aspects of the basophil activation test for the diagnosis of drug hypersensitivity.

Clinical value of radiocontrast media skin tests as a prescreening and diagnostic tool in hypersensitivity reactions

BACKGROUND

Some radiocontrast media (RCM) hypersensitivity reactions may have underlying IgE- or T-cell-mediated mechanisms. RCM skin testing may be useful for predicting future reactions.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical value of RCM skin testing before computed tomography and after RCM hypersensitivity reactions.

METHODS

Patients who underwent RCM skin testing were a prospective sample of convenience at a single medical center and were tested just before their pending nonionic RCM-enhanced computed tomogram. In addition, skin test data of patients who were referred to the allergy clinic because of their previous RCM hypersensitivity reactions were reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTS

A total of 1048 patients enrolled in the study prospectively. Of these, 672 (64.1%) had never been exposed to RCM. Of the 376 previously exposed to RCM, 61 (16.2%) had a history of at least one mild RCM-associated reaction, 56 (91.8%) had immediate reactions, and 5 had no-immediate reactions. There was only 1 positive immediate hypersensitivity RCM skin test result (0.09%). There were 51 mild immediate reactions (4.9%), 1 moderate immediate reaction (0.09%), 8 mild nonimmediate reactions (0.76%), and 1 moderate nonimmediate reaction (0.09%). There was only 1 positive delayed hypersensitivity skin test result (0.09%), retrospectively determined, in 1 (11.1%) of the nonimmediate RCM-associated reactions. Sensitivity of RCM skin testing was significantly higher with severe immediate reactions (57.1%) than mild reactions (12.9%) and moderate reactions (25.0%) in the retrospective review of diagnostic skin test data (P = .03).

CONCLUSION

RCM skin testing for screening is of no clinical utility in predicting hypersensitivity reactions. RCM skin testing may have modest utility in retrospectively evaluating severe adverse reactions.