Prevalence and clinical characteristics of self-reported drug allergy among adults in Saudi Arabia: A national cross-sectional study
Husam M. Malibary, Abeer MohammedNizar Feteih, Banan M. Alamoudi, Sundus M. Noorsaeed, Wejdan Bedaiwi, Mawadda Ahmed Khogeer, Jana Alsharif, Eman Badawod, Esraa M. Bukhari, Ashwag A. Alsaidalani, Shorooq BanjarABSTRACT
Background:
Adverse drug reactions (ADRs), particularly drug hypersensitivity reactions, are a major public health concern due to their impact on morbidity, healthcare utilization, and patient safety. Self-reported drug allergies are often overestimated, leading to inappropriate prescribing, increased healthcare costs, and potential complications. In Saudi Arabia, data on drug allergy prevalence and patterns remain limited, with existing studies largely focused on specific drug classes or general ADRs. This study aims to assess the prevalence and characteristics of self-reported drug allergies among adults in Saudi Arabia.
Methods:
A cross-sectional, web-based questionnaire was administered between June 2022 and June 2023 to adults aged 18 years or older across Saudi Arabia. The survey collected data on demographics, history of drug allergy, diagnostic methods, symptoms, suspected medications, comorbid allergic conditions, family history, and awareness regarding drug allergy management. Data from 1249 complete responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics in R (version 4.0.5).
Results:
Among participants, 13.9% (n = 174) reported a drug allergy. Diagnosis methods included blood tests (12%), skin tests (26%), self-observation (29%), and no formal diagnosis (34%). Cutaneous symptoms were most common (93%), followed by respiratory (57%), ophthalmological (41%), and gastrointestinal (41%) manifestations. Notably, 36.8% reported anaphylaxis-like reactions, predominantly triggered by Penicillin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and paracetamol. Awareness regarding accurate diagnosis and management of drug allergy was low, with only a minority recognizing the role of epinephrine in anaphylaxis treatment.
Conclusion:
Self-reported drug allergies affect a significant portion of the adult Saudi population. Misdiagnosis and limited awareness highlight the need for standardized diagnostic protocols, patient education, and improved healthcare provider training to optimize management, reduce unnecessary drug avoidance, and enhance patient safety.