The efficacy of single premedication with antihistamines for radiocontrast media hypersensitivity

Abstract

BackgroundSingle premedication with antihistamines for radiocontrast media (RCM) hypersensitivity is frequently used in real world at the emergent situation although its efficacy is not proven.ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of intravenous antihistamines as a premedication in general population who had experience of mild adverse reactions to iodinated RCM.MethodsA retrospective observational study on 14,785 subjects who had RCM-enhanced computed tomography scans between January 2014 and December 2015 in Seoul National University Hospital Gangnam Healthcare Center, Seoul, South Korea.ResultsAmong 453 subjects who had a history of mild RCM-induced hypersensitivity reactions, 273 subjects had a single premedication of intravenous antihistamine. When comparing antihistamine-premedication group and nonpremedication group, there is no protective effect of antihistamines on the incidence rate and severity of hypersensitivity (10.6% vs. 11.7%, p = 0.729).ConclusionThe clinical efficacy of a single premedication of antihistamines for mild RCM-induced hypersensitivity was not confirmed.

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“…What about mild cases such as simple urticaria? In this issue, Lee et al [ 8 ] report the efficacy of single premedication with antihistamines for RCM hypersensitivity.…”