Epidemiology and Outcome of Anaphylactic Shocks Admitted to Intensive Care Unit

Anaphylaxis is a severe life-threatening reaction following exposure to an antigen. Its incidence is progressively increasing in the general population over years, accompanied with an increased number of hospitalizations. Although rare, this condition is often associated with a significant morbidity and mortality. The mortality rate has been recently estimated at 0.84 (95% CI, 0.79 to 0.88) per million per year in the French adult population. Age, chronic medication and cardiac or pulmonary comorbidities have been reported to increase the risk of a severe reaction. Obesity, age and cardiovascular comorbidities have been identified as risk factors for fatal anaphylaxis. However, the risk factors for death after ICU admission have not been elucidated yet.