Drug-Induced Anaphylaxis in a Single Korean Tertiary Hospital / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Drug-induced anaphylaxis (DIA) is a severe, acute, and potentially life-threatening condition. In Korea, only a few well-documented cases of DIA have been described. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics, causes, and management of DIA in a single Korean medical institute. METHODS: This was a retrospective medical record review of all DIA patients who visited the in-patient, out-patient, and emergency departments of our hospital from January 1 2006 to October 30 2013. RESULTS: Among 605 cases of anaphylaxis, 167 were drug-induced. The culprit drugs were contrast agents (43 cases, 25.7%), antibiotics (38, 22.8%), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (35, 21.0%), anti-cancer drugs (22, 13.2%), parenteral vitamins (9, 5.4%), ranitidine (6, 3.6%), and neuromuscular blockers (3, 1.8%). The most common organ-specific symptoms/signs were cardiovascular (74.3%), cutaneous (71.3%), respiratory (55.7%), and gastrointestinal manifestations (19.2%). In most cases, DIA was treated with antihistamines (77.2%) and systemic corticosteroids (76.5%); the use of epinephrine was considerably less frequent (35.3%). CONCLUSIONS: In our institution, contrast agents were the leading cause of DIA. Although epinephrine is the drug of choice in the treatment of acute anaphylaxis, fewer than 50% of the study patients received epinephrine to treat DIA.

Critical pathway of acute asthma attack for the Emergency Center: patients' outcomes and effectiveness

PURPOSE: Early recognition and management of asthma attack is critical before it becomes worse. We developed critical pathway (CP) of asthma attack at Emergency Center (EC) for making undelayed decision and management of asthma attack. METHODS: Acute asthma attack assessment and treatment (4AT) CP began on April 1st 2012 and recruited the patients for 18 months. This study enrolled the patients who were older than 15 years and visited EC for dyspnea and wheezing. Initial assessment was done measuring peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), oxygen saturation (SaO2). Once CP is activated, oxygen, inhalation of short acting beta2 agonist, and injection of corticosteroid were administered to the patients. Every hour after CP activated, we reassess the patients' response and make decisions whether to admit or discharge. RESULTS: Until January 10th 2014, 62 patients enrolled in this study. Seven patients hospitalized for asthma and 40 patients discharged. The other 15 patients were deactivated as they were diagnosed of heart failure, myocardial infarction, aortic dissection, anaphylaxis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumonia for the causes of dyspnea. Mean Interval from EC arrival to 4AT activation was 32.6+/-29.1 minutes and the mean interval from 4AT activation to position decision was 254.5+/-302.0 minutes. Among 47 patients who were diagnosed with asthma attack, 13 patients were not aware of asthma before this attack. Forty patients were discharged at EC after management of CP. Among them, 34 patients revisited clinic, but 6 patients did not. We called back to the lost 6 patients but only 3 patients were connected. Even they visited EC due to asthma attack, 2 patients had no insight of importance of regular management and the other one promised to revisit. CONCLUSION: CP was successful for early management of asthma attack. However, 15% of discharged patients never show up again. So, education program about the importance of ongoing management of asthma for prevention of asthma attack is needed.

A Case of Azathioprine Induced Warfarin Resistance in Behcet's Disease

Behcet's disease is characterized by recurrent oral aphthous ulcers, genital ulcers, uveitis, and skin lesions. Thrombosis associated with vascular inflammation in patients with Behcet's disease presents various clinical symptoms. Warfarin is usually administered for treatment of thrombosis. However, warfarin can interact with many medications that cause various problems. A 43-year-old woman with Behcet's disease presented with a swollen right leg. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was confirmed, and treated with warfarin. Due to exacerbation of Behcet's disease, she received azathioprine along with warfarin. Subsequently, the international normalized ratio (INR) decreased and DVT was exacerbated. Despite an increase in the warfarin dose, the patient did not reach the target INR. After discontinuation of azathioprine, DVT improved and the warfarin dose was decreased. There were no specific findings associated with a hypercoagulable status. This finding suggests the interaction of azathioprine and warfarin. Therefore, clinicians should be cautious regarding the possibility of drug interactions between azathioprine and warfarin.

Adverse drug reactions after taking the extract of Cudrania tricuspidata

Cudrania tricuspidata is a deciduous tree belonging to the Moraceae plant, which has been widely used as a folk remedy or health supplements in the Asian countries including Korea. As far as we know, side effects from taking the extract of C. tricuspidata has not yet been reported. We reviewed the electronic medical records of 2 patients who had adverse drug reactions to C. tricuspidata. The first case was a 30-year-old woman without a specific medical history. She was admitted with a 2-week history of jaundice and dyspepsia after taking extract of C. tricuspidata for 3 days. Initial laboratory findings were as follows: aspartate aminotransferase, 364 IU/L; alanine aminotransferase, 574 IU/L; total bilirubin, 36.3 mg/dL; and direct bilirubin, 18.3 mg/dL. She was conservatively treated for liver and renal failure while awaiting liver transplantation. However, she was expired due to combined pneumonia and progressed hepatic and renal failure. The second case was a 42-year-old woman who has chronic urticaria without other medical history. She was admitted with a 3-month history of whole body rash with small pustular vesicle after taking extract of C. tricuspidata. She was treated with intravenous steroids and antihistamines. Skin lesions were improved after 1 week. Here, we report 2 cases of adverse drug reaction to C. tricuspidata. It should be considered that C. tricuspidata ingestion could cause severe adverse drug reactions such as liver failure and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis.