Fatal Anaphylaxis: Mortality Rate and Risk Factors

September–October, 2017 Volume 5, Issue 5, Pages 1169–1178

Paul J. Turner, MD, PhD

, 

Elina Jerschow, MD

, 

Thisanayagam Umasunthar, MD

, 

Robert Lin, MD

, 

Dianne E. Campbell, MD, PhD

, 

Robert J. Boyle, MB, ChB, PhDCorrespondence information about the author MB, ChB, PhD Robert J. BoyleEmail the author MB, ChB, PhD Robert J. Boyle

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaip.2017.06.031

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Up to 5% of the US population has suffered anaphylaxis. Fatal outcome is rare, such that even for people with known venom or food allergy, fatal anaphylaxis constitutes less than 1% of total mortality risk. The incidence of fatal anaphylaxis has not increased in line with hospital admissions for anaphylaxis. Fatal drug anaphylaxis may be increasing, but rates of fatal anaphylaxis to venom and food are stable.

Risk factors for fatal anaphylaxis vary according to cause. For fatal drug anaphylaxis, previous cardiovascular morbidity and older age are risk factors, with beta-lactam antibiotics, general anesthetic agents, and radiocontrast injections the commonest triggers. Fatal food anaphylaxis most commonly occurs during the second and third decades. Delayed epinephrine administration is a risk factor; common triggers are nuts, seafood, and in children, milk. For fatal venom anaphylaxis, risk factors include middle age, male sex, white race, cardiovascular disease, and possibly mastocytosis; insect triggers vary by region. Upright posture is a feature of fatal anaphylaxis to both food and venom. The rarity of fatal anaphylaxis and the significant quality of life impact of allergic conditions suggest that quality of life impairment should be a key consideration when making treatment decisions in patients at risk for anaphylaxis.