Early effects of aspirin desensitization treatment in asthmatic patients with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease.
BACKGROUND
Aspirin (ASA)-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) is characterized by aggressive inflammation of the respiratory tract and often requires topical and/or systemic corticosteroids to maintain partial control of this disease. Previous studies have revealed that ASA desensitization and subsequent treatment with ASA is associated with clinical improvement in AERD.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of daily ASA treatment for the first 4 weeks after ASA desensitization.


METHODS
Thirty-eight patients underwent ASA oral challenge followed by ASA desensitization and daily ASA therapy. Changes in nasal and asthma symptoms, combined with changes in oral prednisone, were recorded daily during 4 weeks before and after desensitization. Severity of symptoms ranged from a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = asymptomatic and 5 = most severe symptoms). For statistical analyses the sum of nasal symptoms and asthma symptoms was calculated. Olfactory scores were also analyzed.


RESULTS
Nasal and asthma symptom scores, as well as olfactory scores, improved significantly (P < 0.0001). For the 15 patients taking prednisone, their mean doses decreased from 10.7 to 5.9 mg daily (P = 0.0003).


CONCLUSIONS
Our study suggests that ASA desensitization treatment is effective during the first 4 weeks of daily treatment with ASA.
Berges-Gimeno
M Pilar
MP
The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA.
Simon
Ronald A
RA
Stevenson
Donald D
DD
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001241:Aspirin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013997:Time Factors
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D001241:Aspirin; D011241:Prednisone