Accurately describing drug allergies and adverse drug reactions: The Australian Delphi Consensus on Drug Allergy Terminology
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Background: Standardizing drug allergy terminology is essential for consistent and accurate reporting of drug allergy information. Objective: This study aimed to define drug allergy-related terms for use in clinical care and allergy documentation using the Delphi process. Methods: respectively. A multidisciplinary panel consisting of 30 experts with representation from pharmacy, pediatrics, clinical immunology and allergy, nursing, dermatology, infectious diseases, general practice, anesthesia, emergency medicine, and pharmacology was convened. An online Delphi process, consisting of 3 rounds of anonymous surveys and a final online discussion, was used to reach consensus, which was defined as group-level agreement of at least 75%. Data were collected between April 2023 and June 2024. Results: Over the course of the Delphi study, consensus definitions were reached for all 76 drug allergy terms. Of the consensus definitions, 3 (hypersensitivity, drug, and medication) required online group discussion to reach a consensus definition. Participation rates across the online surveys ranged from 90% and 60% in rounds 1A and 1B, respectively, 70% in round 2, and 66.7% in round 3. Conclusion: Consensus definitions for a broad range of commonly used drug allergy terms were established. This work addresses the urgent need for consistent drug allergy terminology to enhance the accuracy of recording of drug allergy in medical records, which is important for optimal patient care. This study provides the framework for future updates to ensure that the terminology evolves to meet the needs of diverse international health care settings, particularly as technology and health care continue to advance.
Authors: Jillian Kehoe, Samantha Stiles, Sandra Vale, James Yun, Francis Thien, Jason Trubiano, Kiely Kim, William Smith, Michaela Lucas, Alka Garg, Amanda Gwee, Andrew Carr, Annabelle Arnold, Bernadette Ricciardo, Connie Katelaris, Damian Chan, Elizabeth Healy, Frank Thien, James Yun, Jason Trubiano, Kiely Kim, Kirsten Perrett, Maia Brewerton, Michaela Lucas, Michelle Goh, Nick Cooling, Peter Cooke, Peter Goss, Peter Leman, Pravin Hissaria, Ray Mullins, Richard Scolaro, Sandra Salter, Sara Barnes, Sepehr Shakib, Shireen Sidhu, Suran Fernando, William Smith
Institutions: The University of Western Australia, UNSW Sydney, Prince of Wales Hospital, Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Box Hill Hospital, Eastern Health, Monash University, The University of Melbourne, Peter Doherty Institute, Austin Health, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Pathwest Laboratory Medicine, Perth Children's Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Pharmacology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,000
Funder: Australian Government
OpenAlex ID: W4415754256