Abstract
Antibiotic allergy, especially to sulfonamides, has been reported as both a predisposing factor and as an exacerbating agent in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We surveyed 221 members of The Johns Hopkins Lupus Cohort and 2 control groups, consisting of 178 relatives and 186 best friends, for antibiotic allergy to penicillin/cephalosporins, sulfonamides, tetracyclines, and erythromycin. Antibiotic allergy was common in patients with SLE exposed to the drug: 27% penicillin/cephalosporin, 31% sulfonamide, 7% tetracycline, and 13% erythromycin. In all cases, the most common allergic reaction was rash. Worsening of SLE occurred in 21% of sulfonamide allergic reactions. Allergy to penicillin/cephalosporin (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.5-3.6), sulfonamides (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.2-4.7) and to erythromycin (OR 4.8, 95% CI 1.5-14.9) was significantly more common in exposed patients with SLE than in exposed coutrols. Thus, antibiotic allergy is a frequent finding in patients with SLE and, in the case of sulfonamide allergy, can be associated with lupus exacerbation.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 265-269 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Journal of Rheumatology |
Volume | 19 |
Issue number | 2 |
State | Published - 1992 |
Keywords
- adverse drug reaction
- antibiotic allergy
- systemic lupus erythematosus
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Rheumatology
- Immunology and Allergy
- Immunology