Drug-Related Anaphylaxis Mortality Remains Stable but Disparities Persist
A new national analysis of death certificate data from 2011 to 2023 reveals that drug-related anaphylaxis (DA) continues to be a significant contributor to anaphylaxis-related deaths in the United States, particularly among older adults and non-Hispanic Black (NHB) individuals.
Despite advances in allergy awareness and acute management, no statistically significant changes in mortality rates were observed over the 13-year period, according to the presentation at the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting.
Researchers identified 2503 DA deaths, yielding an age-adjusted mortality rate (DA-AAMR) of 0.52 per 1,000,000 people. “Most fatalities occurred in individuals aged ≥45 years (82.8%), non-Hispanic White (71.1%), and in metropolitan areas (77.4%),” the authors reported.
The highest DA-AAMRs were seen in individuals aged ≥65 years (1.75 per 1,000,000), with NHB individuals experiencing elevated mortality (0.78 per 1,000,000) compared to other racial and ethnic groups.
“Mortality was significantly higher in individuals aged ≥65 years and among non-Hispanic Black persons,” the study noted, underscoring the disproportionate burden in these populations.
Over half of the DA-related deaths occurred in inpatient settings (54.4%), suggesting that hospital-based drug exposures may represent a key target for preventive interventions.
Importantly, the study found no meaningful change in DA-AAMR from 2011 to 2023. “The overall DA-AAMRs remained statistically stable from 2011 to 2023, with no significant temporal trends observed across age, sex, and racial subgroups,” the authors concluded.
These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions, including enhanced inpatient monitoring, clinician education on drug allergy risk, and equity-focused policies to reduce preventable deaths in vulnerable populations.
Reference
Trends in drug-related anaphylaxis mortality in the United States, 2011–2023. Presented at: American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting; November 6-10, 2025; Orlando, FL.
