[Drugs as risk factors of food anaphylaxis in adults: a case-control study].

Between 1995 and 2008, a case-control study was conducted to determine the role of drugs as risk factors for severe food anaphylaxis in adults. Data including exercise, alcohol intake, and use of aspirin, non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, beta-blockers, and angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) were prospectively recorded. Multivariate analysis was used to compare 76 cases of severe anaphylaxis (SA) with 235 cases of mild to moderate food allergy (mmFA). The M/F sex ratio was 54.6% in SA and 36% in mmFA (p < .003). SA represented 17.3% of all food allergies below 45 years and 54.6% over this age. Drug intake did not differ between the two age categories. Drug use was noted in 40.8% of SA and 14.9% of mmFA (p < .0005). Aspirin, NSAIDs, betablockers and ACEI were associated with respectively 15.8%, 6.6%, 10.5% and 5.3% of SA, and with 1.7%, 0.9%, 1.7% and 0.4% of mmFA (p < .003). The respective odds ratios were 10.8, 8.2, 6.8 and 13.0. No other drugs were associated with FA. Exercise and alcohol intake were associated to drugs with respectively 10.5% and 27.6% of SA and 0.4% and 8.1% of mmFA (p < .0005). Exercise drastically increased the risk of drugs. We conclude that aspirin, NSAIDs, betablockers and ACEI are significant risk factors for severe IgE-dependent food allergy. The underlying mechanisms are discussed. Adults with food allergy or sensitization should avoid taking aspirin and NSAIDs before meals and should receive drug families other than ACEI and betablockers for hypertension. In case of pre-existing heart disease, the benefit-risk ratio of ACEI and beta-blockers has to be carefully considered.