Accuracy in diagnosis of allergy to β-lactams

Table 2 Data for drug allergy studies 2001 to 2010

Group	2001 to 2005	2006 to 2010	Total	Percentage
Penicillins	676 (76)	1,329 (75)	2,025 (151)	7.4
Skin prick test	676 (10)	1,329 (08)	(18)
Intradermal test	676 (62)	1,329 (50)	(112)
Challenge	604 (4)	1,271 (17)	(21)
Cephalosporins	24 (2)	160 (3)	184 (5)	2.7
Skin prick test	24 (2)	160 (2)	(4)
Challenge	22 (0)	158 (1)	(1)
Others^a	82 (1)	38 (2)	120 (3)	2.5
Skin prick test	82 (1)	38 (1)	(2)
Challenge	81 (0)	37 (1)	(1)
Total	782	1,527	2,309 (159)	6.9

Data presented as total number of patients (number of patients diagnosed positive). Symptoms were not limited only to the skin (urticaria, erythema, angioedema), but also included confusion, collapse, unconsciousness, hypotension, diaphoresis, vomiting, presyncope, dyspnoea, stridor, wheeze, chest/throat tightness, nausea/vomiting, and abdominal pain. ^aIncluded carbapenems (imipinem, meropenem) and monobactams (aztreonam).

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