We conducted this meta-analysis to summarize the available evidence and evaluate the relationship between a history of allergies/allergic diseases and perioperative anaphylaxis to offer preventive decision support.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

We searched the MEDLINE (OVID), EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases for observational studies. Two investigators independently performed the search, screened the articles, and collected the study details.

Several databases were systematically searched to evaluate the relationship between a history of allergies/allergic diseases and perioperative anaphylaxis using subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis and meta-regression.

A total of 19 studies involving 672 anaphylaxis episodes, 5608 immune-mediated reactions, and 1126 severe episodes met the eligibility criteria and were included in this meta-analysis. Drug allergies, food allergies, a history of allergies, and atopy increased the incidence of perioperative anaphylaxis (Drug allergies, odds ratio [OR] 3.54, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07–11.69; Food allergies, OR 2.29, 95% CI 1.23–4.26; A history of allergies, OR 4.86, 95% CI 3.65–6.49; Atopy, OR 3.58, 95% CI 1.47–8.71), but not the presence of immune-mediated reactions and the severity of perioperative anaphylaxis.

Patients with previous drug allergies, food allergies, a history of allergies, or atopy are more likely to develop anaphylaxis during the perioperative period. Additional studies should be carried out to determine whether a history of allergies/allergic diseases is a major factor for perioperative anaphylaxis when confounders are controlled.