Hymenoptera Venom Allergy. A closer collaboration is needed between allergists and emergency physicians.

Abstract

Background. Hymenoptera stings are sometimes fatal in venom-allergic patients. Fatalities mostly occur in previously stung subjects, especially those with a history of systemic reactions, and could be avoided if patients were properly informed of the existence of a prevention strategy for insect stings, referred to an allergy follow-up and prescribed auto-injectable epinephrine and/or venom-specific immunotherapy (VIT). We sought to assess knowledge and awareness of Hymenoptera Venom Allergy (HVA) in a small sample of Emergency Physicians in our geographic area. Methods. An eight-point questionnaire on HVA was administered to Emergency Department physicians working in the six largest ED in Naples. Results. Twenty-seven physicians completed the questionnaire. Twenty/27 (74%) were unaware of the classification of Hymenoptera sting reactions, 11/27 (41%) were unaware of the existence of prevention strategies such as VIT, 18/27 (67%) did not refer HVA patients to a specialist follow up. One/27 (4%) prescribed auto-injectable epinephrine and 100% wish better information on the topic. Conclusions. In our survey we found a number of ED physicians whose knowledge of HVA, beyond the emergency treatment, is not satisfactory. A closer collaboration among ED physicians and allergists is urgently needed.

• Authors: A Ciccarelli, C Calabrò, C Imperatore, G Scala
• Journal: European annals of allergy and clinical immunology (Eur Ann Allergy Clin Immunol) Vol. 49 Issue 1 Pg. 15-17 (Jan 2017) ISSN: 1764-1489 [Print] Italy
• PMID: 28120601 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Arthropod Venoms

Topics

• Allergists
• Animals
• Arthropod Venoms (immunology)
• Emergency Service, Hospital
• Humans
• Hymenoptera (immunology)
• Intersectoral Collaboration
• Physicians