Hospitalizations due to Angioedema without Urticaria in a Portuguese Center: Five Year Retrospective Study

Introduction: Hospitalizations due to angioedema are important especially in debilitating or life-threatening situations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency and etiology of angioedema without urticaria in hospital admissions. Material and Methods: The admissions between 2009 and 20...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Joana Cosme, Amélia Spínola, Manuel Branco Ferreira, Manuel Pereira Barbosa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Ordem dos Médicos 2019-11-01
Series:Acta Médica Portuguesa
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.actamedicaportuguesa.com/revista/index.php/amp/article/view/11893
Description
Summary:Introduction: Hospitalizations due to angioedema are important especially in debilitating or life-threatening situations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency and etiology of angioedema without urticaria in hospital admissions. Material and Methods: The admissions between 2009 and 2013 in Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte with a diagnosis grouped under the ICD9 codes of angioedema were retrospectively analysed. The episodes of angioedema with urticaria were excluded. The admissions were categorized into 2 groups: A — hospitalizations motivated by the angioedema; B — hospitalizations in which the angioedema was an incidental finding. Results: There were 169 hospitalizations (52% females, 96% adults, mean age 52 ± 20.8 years), distributed by 23 hospital departments, 51% in the Immunoallergology department. The mean annual angioedema admission rate was 72/100 000. In 68% of the cases, angioedema was the cause for the admission; in 32% an incidental finding. In 38% there was upper airway involvement. The etiologies were: hereditary angioedema in 24%, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor induced angioedema in 31%, idiopathic angioedema in 21%, thrombolysis induced angioedema in 13%, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced angioedema in 5%. Discussion: The main etiology was angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor angioedema, followed by hereditary angioedema and thrombolysis induced angioedema, and these findings concur with the international literature. Conclusion: The mean annual angioedema admission rate was 72/100 000 and there was airway involvement in 38% of hospitalizations.
ISSN:0870-399X
1646-0758