Analysis of adrenaline autoinjectors acquisition in Portugal over 15 years
Show more: Authors information and Publication history
Authors Information
1Immunoallergology Service, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte (CHULN), EPE, Lisbon, Portugal
2Immunoallergology Unit, Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça, SESARAM, EPE, Funchal, Portugal
3University Clinic of Immunoallergology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
History
Published: 04 May 2021
Accepted: 12 April 2021
Received: 15 December 2021
SUMMARY
Background. The adrenaline autoinjector (AAi) is universally recommended as the first-line treatment for anaphylactic reactions occurring outside the medical setting. The quantification of its acquisition may help estimate the prevalence of patients at risk of anaphylaxis with an indication for AAi. Objective. Evaluation of the global and regional frequency of AAi purchases in Mainland Portugal between 2003-2017 and calculate the inherent costs in 2017. Methods. AAi acquisition distribution analysis along this period. The population was divided in two age groups according to the adrenaline dosage. Results. A total of 10,993 AAi units of 0.15 mg/0.3 mL and 28,619 of 0.3 mg/0.3 mL were acquired in these 15 years, with an annual average of 733 and 1908 units, respectively. In cumulative values terms, Lisbon showed the highest number of AAI acquired and higher prevalence per region/100,000 inhabitants in both groups. In 2017, the annual cost for each age group was €64,202.71/€187,447.70 for patients and €37,706.35/€110,113.30 for the National Health System. Conclusions. In the last 15 years, there was a progressive increase in AAi acquisition. We estimate a rate of anaphylaxis occurrence in Portugal according to AAi aquisition of 0.165%.
