Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the incidence and influencing factors of allergic reactions to cephalosporins. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 29 medical institutions in Zhejiang Province was conducted from April 2021 to June 2021. The incidence of allergic reactions to cephalosporins was investigated, and the influencing factors of cephalosporin-induced allergic reactions were analyzed by Poisson regression. RESULTS: A total of 56 155 patients were included in this study. The total incidence of allergic reactions to cephalosporin was 1.67‰, the highest incidence of anaphylaxis occurred for ceftizoxime (4.27‰), followed by ceftriaxone (3.49‰) and cefotaxime (2.40‰). There was no significant difference in the incidence of allergic reactions between patients with negative skin tests and those without skin tests (1.75‰ vs. 1.63‰, RR=1.07, 95%CI: 0.70-1.63, P>0.05). Poisson regression showed that body mass index (BMI) <18.5 kg/m(2) (RR=2.43, 95%CI: 1.23-4.82, P<0.05) and history of β-lactam antibiotics allergy (RR=33.88, 95%CI: 1.47-781.12, P<0.05) increased cephalosporin-induced anaphylaxis. Compared with cefuroxime, the risk of allergic reactions was increased for ceftriaxone (RR=3.08, 95%CI: 1.70-5.59, P<0.01), ceftazidime (RR=1.89, 95%CI: 1.03-3.47, P<0.05), and ceftizoxime (RR=3.74, 95%CI: 1.64-8.50, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Lower BMI and history of β-lactam antibiotics allergy increase the risk of cephalosporin allergic reactions. The routine skin test may not reduce the occurrence of allergic reactions to cephalosporins.