Allergy Asthma Respir Dis.  2015 May;3(3):187-193. 10.4168/aard.2015.3.3.187.

Seasonal and regional variations in the causes of anaphylaxis in Korean adults

• Lee YK
• Kim MK
• Kang HR
• Kim TB
• Sohn SW
• Park HK
• Koh YI
• Jang GC
• Kim CW
• Jee YK
• Hur GY
• Kim JH
• Kim SH
• Choi GS
• Lee SK
• Park HS
• Ye YM
• Korean Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Clinical Immunology Work Group on Urticaria/Angioedema/Anaphylaxis

• KMID: 2168488
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4168/aard.2015.3.3.187

Abstract

PURPOSE
To investigate whether causes of anaphylaxis vary according to regions and seasons in Korean adults.
METHODS
Based on previous retrospective studies of anaphylaxis between 2007 and 2011 at the 15 university hospitals. Regions were classified into 4 groups: region I, Seoul; region II, Gyeonggi; region III, Chungcheong; and region IV, Chonnam and Busan. The cases induced by 5 major allergens including drugs, food, bee sting, radiocontrast media, and exercise, were analyzed in the present study.
RESULTS
Among a total of 1,661 cases reported (53% male, 45.9+/-16.0 years), 367 (22.2%), 706 (42.5%), 319 (19.2%), and 269 cases (16.2%) were enrolled in regions I, II, III, and IV, respectively. Of the 5 major allergens, drugs (37.3%) were the most frequently reported, followed by food (25.7%), bee sting (17.9%), radiocontrast media (12.9%), and exercise (6.2%). There was no significant difference in the total occurrence of anaphylaxis in 4 seasons (374 in spring, 460 in summer, 460 in autumn, and 367 in winter). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that drug-induced anaphylaxis was significantly associated with the winter season (odds ratio [OR] 1.0 vs. OR 0.597, P<0.05 for spring; OR 1.0 vs. OR 0.481, P<0.01 for summer; OR 1.0 vs. OR 0.653, P<0.05 for autumn). Food-associated anaphylaxis was mainly reported in region I, whereas the frequency of insect sting was relatively higher in regions II, III, and IV than in region I. Older age and female gender were significantly associated with drug-induced anaphylaxis.
CONCLUSION
Specific causative allergens of anaphylaxis in adults may vary according to age, gender, region, and season in Korea.

Keyword

Anaphylaxis; Adult; Etiology; Seasons; Geographic locations

MeSH Terms

Adult*
Allergens
Anaphylaxis*
Bees
Bites and Stings
Busan
Contrast Media
Female
Geographic Locations
Gyeonggi-do
Hospitals, University
Humans
Insect Bites and Stings
Jeollanam-do
Korea
Logistic Models
Male
Retrospective Studies
Seasons*
Seoul
Allergens
Contrast Media

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Seasonal variations in the proportion of 5 common causes of anaphylaxis. RCM, radiocontrast media.

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  Fig. 2 Classification of regions and reported numbers of anaphylaxis cases according to the regions. SN, Seoul National University Hospital; AS, Asan Medical Center; KK, Korea University Guro Hospital; HY, Hanyang University Medical Center; AJ, Ajou University Hospital; DG, Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital; IH, Inha University Hospital; IS, National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital; HL, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital; CB, Chungbuk National University Hospital; DK, Dankook University Hospital; PS, Pusan National University Hospital; CN, Chonnam National University Hospital; KS, Kosin University Gospel Hospital; DA, Dong-A University Hospital.

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