Evaluation of adrenaline auto-injector (Epipen®) use in food allergy children in non-metropolitan area of Japan
2017 Volume 31 Issue 2 Pages 113-123
Details
2017 Volume 31 Issue 2 Pages 113-123
Purpose : Our aim was to analyze the usage of adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs) for anaphylaxis in children with food allergy who were living in a non-metropolitan area.
Methods : A retrospective analysis of 322 AAI prescriptions for 124 consecutive patients (79 boys, 45 girls) was conducted.
Results : Of the patients, 124 (100%) had food allergies, 120 (97%) had experienced anaphylaxis, and 36 (29%) weighed<15 kg. After administration of the AAI prescription, anaphylactic reactions of grade 3 or 4 were triggered in 34 patients (27%) on a total of 55 occasions. There were no side effects after AAI administration in all 30 cases, including in six patients who weighed<15 kg. A factor that was significantly associated with AAI prescription was residing outside Kumamoto city at a distance≥10 km to a hospital emergency room (ER) (p<0.01). Patient background, anaphylaxis frequency, and AAI administration rate were independent of distance to an ER.
Discussion : The distance to an ER had an impact on AAI prescriptions in our hospital, but did not influence the rate of AAI use during anaphylaxis. More appropriate instructions are necessary to increase the use of AAI for anaphylaxis.
