ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: There are very limited data characterizing the epidemiology of anaphylaxis from low- and middle-income country settings. We aimed to estimate the frequency of anaphylaxis admissions to hospitals in Istanbul. METHODS: We obtained data from all 45 hospitals in Istanbul over a 12-month period and used ICD-10 codes to extract data on those admitted with a recorded primary diagnosis of anaphylaxis. Because of concerns about possible under-coding, we undertook an additional analysis to identify patients admitted with two or more clinical codes for symptoms and/or signs suggestive of, but not coded as having, anaphylaxis. RESULTS: A total of 114 cases (79 people with anaphylaxis codes and 35 with symptoms and signs suggestive of anaphylaxis) were identified, giving an overall estimate of 1.95 cases per 100 000 person-years. CONCLUSION: The novel two-stage identification approach employed suggests significant under-recording of anaphylaxis in those admitted to hospitals in Istanbul.