Retrospective Evaluation of Patients Undergoing Drug Provocation Tests

Year 2025, Volume: 52 Issue: 1, 63 - 70, 14.03.2025

Seda Çevik , Ugur Altas , Halil Alkaya , Mehmet Yaşar Özkars

https://doi.org/10.5798/dicletip.1657352

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the demographic characteristics of patients presenting with suspected drug allergies, identify the implicated drugs, classify the types of reactions observed, and assess the contribution of drug provocation tests in diagnosis.
Methods: A total of 47 patients who underwent drug provocation tests between January 2023 and December 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Data on age, gender, suspected drugs, symptoms, onset time, and comorbidities were collected. Provocation tests were conducted in a controlled hospital setting, and necessary medical interventions were performed for positive reactions.
Results: Of the patients, 59.57% were female and 40.43% were male, with a mean age of 111.68 months. Antibiotics (61.70%) and NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs) (23.40%) were the most implicated drug groups. Beta-lactam antibiotics were identified as the leading drug group. Among reactions, maculopapular rash (31.48%) and angioedema (27.78%) were the most common symptoms. Early reactions (48.33%) were observed more frequently, while delayed reactions accounted for 41.67%.
Conclusion: Drug provocation tests are reliable tools for evaluating low-risk drug allergy probabilities and preventing unnecessary labeling of allergies. This study provides valuable insights into the management and treatment of drug allergies in children.

Keywords

Drug hypersensitivity, drug provocation test, maculopapular rash, Urticaria

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