The complexity of drug hypersensitivity reactions.

Abstract

Drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHRs) represent a global threat to healthcare systems due to their incidence, with a significant increase over the last years. DHR figures are overestimated in the general population since <40% of cases initially labelled as allergic can be confirmed as such when evaluated in an allergy unit. Achieving an accurate diagnosis is complex and time-consuming; besides, tests must be tailored to specific clinical manifestations and underlying mechanisms and will depend on the culprit drugs.