New York State cases of anaphylaxis in elderly patients from 2000 to 2010

Drug allergy management in the elderly

“…However, it is important to note that there were no penicillin-based antibiotics except for piperacillin which may signify different practices or patient selection in that particular tertiary centre. A large-scale retrospective study carried out in New York found that anaphylaxis rates among the elderly increased over a span of 10 years [25 ▪▪ ].…”

“…In one study highlighting the inconsistency of drug labels in the medical records, there was no description of the sensitivity in 81% of cases and only 2/48 hypersensitivity reactions were simultaneously recorded in the administration, care home and general practitioner's record [31]. In one large retrospective study, relying on ICD-9 codes alone missed approximately half of the cases of anaphylaxis [25 ▪▪ ].…”

The importance of understanding anaphylaxis among older adults

“…Although the mechanism, potential triggers, and clinical management of anaphylaxis have been extensively studied in both children and adults, 1 few studies have specifically focused on older adults (≥65 years). 2,3 Older adults are a rapidly growing segment of the US population, with 54.1 million persons today and a projected 94.7 million in 2060. 4 Older adults are a unique "vulnerable population" because they often have multiple comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease, that may complicate anaphylaxis management and lead to poor outcomes.…”