Fatal Anaphylaxis Registry

UK Fatal Anaphylaxis Registry

The UK Fatal Anaphylaxis Registry (UKFAR), founded by Richard Pumphrey in the early 1990s, seeks to assemble details of every fatality in the UK since 1992 for which anaphylaxis is considered a possible cause of death. Near-fatal reactions with subsequent death due to brain damage or other resuscitation sequelae are included. The registry aims to collect detailed information about every case, typically 20-40 each year. The data in the registry has improved understanding of fatal anaphylaxis and the clinical circumstances leading to fatalities.. No two anaphylactic fatalities are identical and each one studied adds to our understanding of the causes and the ways in which avoidance and treatment may fail; the more detailed the information, the greater the chance of learning something new.

Continuing to collect this data in the UK is important to allow comparison with data in other countries, add to the overall understanding on fatal anaphylaxis. Enhanced understanding will enable us to improve the advice on avoidance strategies and management of anaphylaxis to reduce fatalities. This approach is particularly important considering the reported increase in prevalence of allergy in the UK population.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has provided UKFAR with funding support for a year to update cases in the registry. This is supported by the BSACI.

We are looking for BSACI members to support UKFAR

Any information you can provide on fatal cases of anaphylaxis you have been involved with will be helpful. Additionally, for any on-going evaluations, you can request involvement of the registry team directly with the Coroner. Direct involvement of the registry team with the Coroner, investigation of cases gives the richest possible information. To find out more about UKFAR visit www.bsaci.org/professional-resources/ukfar/

Dr Vibha Sharma, Dr Tomaz Garcez and and Dr Andrew Parkes can be contacted to support case investigation: email mft.fatal.anaphylaxis@nhs.net

Dr Vibha Sharma, Consultant in Paediatric Allergy, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital; Dr Tomaz Garcez, Consultant Immunologist; Dr Andrew Parkes, Consultant Anaesthetist, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Updates to members area of the website

We have made some improvements to the members area of the website. When you sign into your account, you will see your membership details including your membership number. The member-only content is now arranged on this landing page, so you can access the information you need easily - including forms, publications, guidelines in progress and paediatric grand rounds. This content is only available to members so please take a look www.bsaci.org/login