Fatma Arzu AKKUŞ, Tuğba ÖNALAN
Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine - 2026;9(2):370-376
Aims: Drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHRs) are immunologically mediated adverse drug reactions increasingly reported in recent years. This study aimed to assess the demographic characteristics and self-reported clinical features of adults presenting with suspected DHRs to two tertiary centers in Konya, Türkiye, and to examine the distribution of reactions attributed to beta-lactam antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Methods: This retrospective study included 138 patients who presented with suspected DHRs between 1 April and 30 October 2025 and had complete demographic and clinical data. Only reactions compatible with immunological mechanisms and occurring within the first 6 hours after drug intake were evaluated. Demographic variables, culprit drugs, reaction timing and type, and coexisting allergic diseases were extracted from electronic medical records. Results: The median age was 40 years, and 73.9% were female. Cutaneous manifestations were the predominant presentation (89.1%), and 65.9% of reactions occurred within the first hour. beta-lactams (43.5%) and NSAIDs (40.6%) were the main implicated drugs. The anaphylaxis rate was 19.6%, and 69.6% required hospitalization. Reactions within the first hour were associated with higher rates of anaphylaxis (28.6% vs. 2.1%; p<0.001), loss of consciousness (19.8% vs. 6.4%; p=0.038), and hospitalization (75.8% vs. 57.4%; p=0.026) than reactions at 1-6 hours. Anaphylaxis was more frequent in beta-lactam reactions than NSAIDs (30.5% vs. 12.5%; p=0.006). NSAID reactions appeared at 1-6 hours, while beta-lactam ones were largely within the first hour (p<0.001). Y ounger patients (<45 years) more frequently exhibited itching, urticaria, and abdominal pain (p=0.042; 0.042; 0.014, respectively). Conclusion: beta-lactam antibiotics and NSAIDs are the leading causes of reported DHRs in adults. beta-lactams are particularly associated with early-onset reactions and anaphylaxis. Detailed assessment of clinical features is essential when evaluating drug allergy based on patient history. Regional data may contribute to developing more standardized diagnostic and management approaches for DHRs.
