Table 1 Characteristics of individuals presenting to emergency department for anaphylaxis management

Sex

 Male

54 (50%)

107 (41%)

161 (44%)

 Female

53 (50%)

155 (59%)

208 (56%)

Median Age, years (range)

10 (0.5–17)

40 (18–88)

30 (0.5–88)

Number of ED visits for anaphylaxis during study period

 1

98 (95%)

232 (94%)

330 (94%)

 2

3 (4%)

9 (5%)

12 (5%)

 3

1 (1%)

4 (2%)

5 (1%)

Arrival mode to ED

 Self

52 (49%)

145 (55%)

197 (53%)

 Ambulance

55 (51%)

117 (45%)

172 (47%)

Initial ED presentation site

 Tertiary ED

88 (82%)

188 (72%)

276 (75%)

 Community ED

19 (18%)

74 (28%)

93 (25%)

Received adrenaline prior to ED presentation

46 (43%)

94 (36%)

140 (38%)

Met ASCIA anaphylaxis criteria prior to arrival to ED

94 (88%)

240 (92%)

334 (91%)

Met ASCIA anaphylaxis criteria on arrival to ED

52 (49%)

159 (61%)

211 (57%)

Anaphylaxis severity

 Mild

6 (6%)

10 (4%)

16 (4%)

 Moderate

91 (85%)

193 (74%)

284 (77%)

 Severe

10 (9%)

59 (22%)

69 (19%)

Suspected Trigger

 Food

74 (69%)

95 (36%)

169 (46%)

 Venom

7 (7%)

42 (16%)

49 (13%)

 Medication

5 (5%)

43 (16%)

48 (13%)

 Other

5 (5%)

16 (6%)

21 (6%)

 Unknown

16 (15%)

66 (25%)

82 (22%)

Reacted to previously identified trigger

51 (53%)

82 (40%)

133 (44%)

Previous anaphylaxis

65 (61%)

128 (49%)

193 (52%)

Previously seen immunologist

47 (44%)

75 (29%)

122 (33%)

Comorbid conditions

 Asthma

34 (32%)

73 (28%)

107 (29%)

 Eczema

19 (18%)

12 (5%)

31 (8%)

 Allergic rhinitis

3 (3%)

14 (5%)

17 (5%)

 Cardiovascular disease

1 (1%)

57 (22%)

58 (16%)

 Cognitive impairment

1 (1%)

4 (2%)

5 (1%)

 Substance abuse

0 (0%)

11 (4%)

11 (3%)