Abstract
Harmonized terminology and definition of any condition are key to capture more accurate epidemiological data, and it is not different for anaphylaxis. A standard registry of morbidity and mortality data provides health information for statistics and epidemiology, health care management, allocation of resources, monitoring and evaluation of research, and for disease prevention and treatment.Anaphylaxis is a multi-faceted condition that can manifest at any age and any health professional may be faced by it. Recently, the WAO anaphylaxis committee has proposed revisiting the definition and clinical criteria of anaphylaxis in a view of including more mild and atypical reactions: “Anaphylaxis is a serious systemic hypersensitivity reaction that is usually rapid in onset and may cause death. Severe anaphylaxis is characterized by potentially life-threatening compromise in breathing and/or the circulation, and may occur without typical skin features or circulatory shock being present.” This proposal is aligned to the International Classification of Diseases eleventh edition, maintained by the World Health Organization (WHO).The WHO Collaborating Center for the Scientific Classification of Allergic and Hypersensitivity Diseases established at the University Hospital of Montpellier is the only WHO Center representing the allergy specialty, and is currently implementing actions related to anaphylaxis.The new definition of anaphylaxis is timely and will support better clinical recognition, epidemiological data, quality care of patients and public health actions, preventing avoidable deaths. It is expected that it will undergo international validation process, refinements and updates, understanding specific needs, such as adapting the definition to age groups.