“Approximately 6% to 10% of all adverse drug reactions are due to allergic reactions, and the risk of an allergic reaction is approximately 1% to 3% for most drugs (Levy, 1999).
The risk of a perioperative anaphylactic reaction is approximately 1 in 2500 to 5000 patients (0.02% to 0.04%) (Levy, 1992, 1999).
It is estimated that 5% of adults in the United States are allergic to 1 or more drugs, and as many as 15% believe they may be or have been labeled as being allergic to 1 or more drugs. Allergic reactions are an important cause of adverse drug reactions, which are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Adverse drug reactions are the most common iatrogenic illness, complicating 5% to 15% of therapeutic drug courses (Riedl, 2003). They are common in hospitalized patients, occurring in 6% to 15% of this population, and they are responsible for 3% to 6% of all hospital admissions and for more than 100,000 deaths each year in the United States.”
(Riedl, 2003; Lazarou, 1998; Einarson, 1993).
TO OBTAIN THS INFORMATION, The Witch Doctor read:
“Evaluation and Treatment of Hypersensitivity in Cardiac Surgery
Registration”
http://www.medscape.com/viewprogram/7684_pnt (23 of 24) [29/12/2007 18:37:50]
The Witch Doctor's Aide Memoire 