SummaryAim To estimate the prevalence of self-reported drug allergy in adults. Methods Cross-sectional survey of a general adult population from Porto (all of whom were living with children involved in the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood-phase three), during the year 2002, using a self-administered questionnaire. Results The prevalence of self-reported drug allergy was 7.8% (181/2309): 4.5% to penicillins or other b-lactams, 1.9% to aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and 1.5% to other drugs. In the group 'allergic to b-lactams', the most frequently implicated drug was penicillin G or V (76.2%) followed by the association of amoxicillin and clavulanic acids (14.3%). In the group 'allergic to NSAIDs', acetylsalicylic acid (18.2%) and ibuprofen (18.2%) were the most frequently identified drugs, followed by nimesulide and meloxicam. Identification of the exact name of the involved drug was possible in less than one-third of the patients, more often within the NSAID group (59.5%). Women were significantly more likely to claim a drug allergy than men (10.2% vs. 5.3%). The most common manifestations were cutaneous (63.5%), followed by cardiovascular symptoms (35.9%). Most of the reactions were immediate, occurring on the first day of treatment (78.5%). Only half of the patients were submitted to drug allergy investigations. The majority (86.8%) completely avoided the suspected culprit drug thereafter. Conclusions The results showed that self-reported allergy to drugs is highly prevalent and poorly explored. Women seem to be more susceptible. b-lactams and NSAIDs are the most frequently concerned drugs.

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Introduction: Anaphylaxis from food allergies is a constant concern for caregivers of allergic children. This study aims to educate professionals who work with these children, and to assess their knowledge of anaphylaxis and the effectiveness of a training session. Methods: A training session was conducted for health professionals in schools attended by students being followed for food anaphylaxis. An anonymous questionnaire to assess knowledge of anaphylaxis was applied before and after the training session. Results: To date training sessions have been conducted in 55 schools throughout the country and the questionnaire has been applied to 166 school professionals. Most recognised the emergent character of anaphylaxis. Only 38% of those responding to the pre-session questionnaire (compared to 98% post-session) correctly identified the possible symptoms of anaphylaxis (p<0.001). A significant percentage of pre-session participants did not recognise different forms of contact with the allergen (45% vs. 99%; p<0.001) and before the session 17% believed that only large amounts of allergen could cause anaphylaxis, compared to 0.6% post-session (p<0.001). Although all the children carry an adrenaline pen, pre--session 43% said they had never heard of it and only 25% knew how to apply it correctly; post-session, 84% knew how to apply it (p<0.001). Discussion: These results reveal alarming deficiencies in knowledge and thus highlight the need for intervention in the community to improve knowledge about anaphylaxis. IntroduçãoA anafilaxia, uma emergência médica potencialmente fatal, define-se como uma síndrome multissistémica aguda, resultante da libertação de mastócitos e basófi-Introdução: Os casos de anafilaxia por alergia alimentar constituem uma preocupação constante dos cuidadores das crianças alérgicas. Este estudo pretendeu educar os profissionais em contacto com estas crianças, avaliar os seus conhecimentos sobre anafilaxia e o grau de eficácia de uma sessão de formação. Métodos: Realização de uma sessão de educação para a saúde aos profissionais das escolas de alunos seguidos em consulta por anafilaxia alimentar. Distribuição e interpretação dos resultados de um inquérito anónimo sobre conhecimentos acerca da anafilaxia antes e após a formação. Resultados: Até à data estiveram envolvidas 55 escolas em todo o país onde foram efetuadas sessões de formação. Foram efetuados inquéritos a 166 profissionais escolares; a maioria sabia reconhecer o carácter de emergência da anafilaxia e a necessidade de acionar o 112. Apenas 38% dos questionados pré-sessão identificaram corretamente os sintomas possíveis de anafilaxia, comparativamente a 98% dos pós-sessão (p < 0,001). Uma percentagem importante dos questionados pré-sessão não reconheceu diferentes formas de contacto com o alergénio (45% vs 99%; p < 0,001) e 17% dos profissionais antes da sessão consideraram que só com grandes quantidades de alergénio se desenvolvia anafilaxia, comparativamente a 0,6% na pós-sessão (p < 0,001). Apesar de todas as crianças sere...

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