Drug Allergy Labels in the Elective Surgical Population
Research type
Research Study
Full title
What is the prevalence, accuracy and impact of drug allergy labelling in the elective surgical population, and how do anaesthetists respond to these labels?
IRAS ID
232512
Contact name
Louise Savic
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research and Innovation Centre
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Self-reported drug allergies are common in the surgical population. Allergy labels are of particular concern for anaesthetists, whose patients are exposed to a wide range of drugs during the peri-operative period. Unfortunately, many of these labels are based on reactions not indicative of true allergy, but rather of side effects or other non-allergic phenomena. Allergy labels must be interpreted on the day of surgery, and may significantly influence peri-operative drug prescribing. \n\nThe avoidance of drugs due to an allergy label is potentially harmful, with important drugs unnecessarily avoided, and alternatives given which may be less effective and more toxic. A good example is the ’penicillin allergy’ label. Around 10% of the population report penicillin allergy, but fewer than 5% of these will actually be allergic. Use of broad spectrum alternatives is detrimental to patients and healthcare services. Other examples relevant to anaesthesia include spurious allergy labels for opiates and non-steroidal pain killers; the impact of these has not been assessed previously. \n\nWe aim to define the prevalence of drug allergy labelling in the UK surgical population, and to determine the proportion of these labels which are likely to reflect true allergy. For a sub-set of allergy labels, we will study their impact on peri-operative prescribing. We will also conduct an attitude and knowledge-based survey of anaesthetists, to explore understanding of drug allergies, the effect of allergy labels on prescribing habits, and ideas to help reduce the burden of inaccurate labelling in the future. \n\nThis study will consist of a patient questionnaire administered on the day of surgery, for three consecutive days, and a survey for all anaesthetists to complete. We hope to offer participation in the study to 18,000 patients from over 200 UK NHS sites, and more than 1000 anaesthetists.
REC name
London - Hampstead Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/2106
Date of REC Opinion
5 Jan 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion