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Drug-Induced Anaphylaxis in a Vietnamese Pharmacovigilance Database: Trends and Specific Signals from a Disproportionality Analysis

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Abstract

Introduction

Despite the numerous studies investigating drug-induced anaphylaxis (DIA), understanding and quantitative data analysis in developing countries remain limited. The aim of our study is to describe and quantify DIA using the National Pharmacovigilance Database of Vietnam (NPDV).

Methods

Spontaneous reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) recorded between 2010 and 2016 were retrospectively analysed to identify DIA reports. The trend and characteristics of DIA cases were described. Multivariate disproportionality analysis was used for signal generation.

Results

Overall, 4873 DIA cases (13.2% of total ADRs) were recorded in the NPDV, 111 of which resulted in death (82% of total ADR-induced deaths) over a 7-year period. There was a remarkable increase in DIA reporting over time (p < 0.001). The incidence rates of DIA reporting per total ADRs and per 100,000 inhabitants remained high (mean rates [95% CI] of 12.06 [9.88–14.24] and 0.77 [0.33–1.20], respectively). Concerning suspected drugs, systemic antibiotics (n = 3318, 68%) were mostly reported with a reporting odds ratio (ROR) and 95% CI of 2.35 [2.20–2.51]. In the case of antibiotic-induced anaphylaxis, the third-generation cephalosporins were predominant (n = 1961, 40.2%, ROR 2.39 [2.24–2.55]). We also noted drugs generally associated with DIA such as contrast agents (ROR 2.43 [2.04–2.88]) and anaesthetics (ROR 4.02 [3.30–4.89]). Furthermore, unexpected signals were observed for alpha-chymotrypsin (ROR 1.75 [1.23–2.44]) and amoxicillin/sulbactam (ROR 1.59 [1.18–2.10]), uncommonly reported in western countries.

Conclusion

In recent years, cases of drug-induced DIA have increased in Vietnam, mostly due to antibiotics and third-generation cephalosporins. The inappropriate use of these drugs should be taken into account. Our findings also highlighted typical Vietnamese signals for alpha-chymotrypsin- and amoxicillin/sulbactam-induced anaphylaxis, which may relate to a specific sociological context in resource-limited countries.

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Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Contributions

Study designed by H-AN, D-HN, T-BN. Research carried out by K-DN, TT-LL, H-AN (Jr), B-VD, T-NN. Data analysed by K-DN. New methods or models contributed by K-DN, H-AN, HB, D-HV. Paper written by K-DN, H-AN, D-HV, J-LM, HB.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Haleh Bagheri.

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Funding

The National Centre for Drug Information and Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring acknowledges support from the National WHO Office in Vietnam (involved in signal detection: WHO Reference 2017/716670-0; PO Number 201735388). Khac-Dung Nguyen acknowledges the French Embassy in Hanoi and the Pierre Fabre Foundation for their financial support of his doctoral studies at the UMR 1027 INSERM–University Toulouse III, France, in close collaboration with the National Centre for Drug Information and Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring, Hanoi University of Pharmacy, Hanoi, Vietnam. No other sources of funding were used to assist in the preparation of this article.

Conflict of interest

Khac-Dung Nguyen, Hoang-Anh Nguyen, Dang-Hoa Nguyen, Thanh-Binh Nguyen, Dinh-Hoa Vu, Thi Thuy-Linh Le, Hoang-Anh Nguyen (Jr), Bich-Viet Dang, Trung-Nguyen Nguyen, Jean-Louis Montastruc, and Haleh Bagheri have no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this manuscript.

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Nguyen, KD., Nguyen, HA., Vu, DH. et al. Drug-Induced Anaphylaxis in a Vietnamese Pharmacovigilance Database: Trends and Specific Signals from a Disproportionality Analysis. Drug Saf 42, 671–682 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40264-018-0758-8

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