Patients
This study was approved by the All patients who were referred to our
clinic with a history of anaphylaxis for further management were
recruited to the study following informed written consent. The clinical
features during anaphylaxis, and the treatment received was available
with the patients’ clinical records and the diagnosis cards issued by
the hospitals. The patients were evaluated for the possible aetiological
factors, and contributing co-factors for the development of anaphylaxis
and then relevant skin prick tests were carried out to identify the
allergen. Those in whom we could not identify a possible allergen by
skin prick tests were classified as having idiopathic anaphylaxis (IA).
Accordingly, from January to December 2021, 65 patients were considered
to have IA. In all patients the events that led to the episode of
anaphylaxis, the foods that were consumed, the severity of symptoms and
treatment received were recorded.
Severity of anaphylaxis was classified according to the criteria defined
by Brown et al 2004 [15]. Accordingly, those who developed loss of
consciousness, confusion, collapse, cyanosis or with oxygen saturation
of <92% or incontinence were classified has having had severe
anaphylaxis (grade 3).
Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Review Committee of the
Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri
Lanka.