The blocking effect of essential controller medications during aspirin challenges in patients with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease.
BACKGROUND
The blocking effect of controller medications for asthma could have an effect on the outcome of aspirin challenges in patients suspected of having aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD).


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether there was any blocking effect of long-acting beta2-agonists, systemic corticosteroids, and/or inhaled corticosteroids alone or as co-therapy with leukotriene modifier drugs (LTMDs).


METHODS
Between 1981 and 2004, 678 patients with suspected AERD were admitted for aspirin challenge and desensitization. All patients had asthma, chronic sinusitis, nasal polyposis, and at least 1 historical reaction to a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Asthma controller medications taken during aspirin challenge were recorded and analyzed with respect to their potential effects on 4 possible outcomes of aspirin challenge, namely, naso-ocular reaction, lower airway reaction, classic upper and lower airway reaction, or a negative challenge result.


RESULTS
When compared with AERD patients who received no controller medications, the combined use of LTMDs, inhaled corticosteroids, and long-acting beta2-agonists led to a statistically significant change in aspirin challenge outcomes (P = .009), mainly shifting the reaction from a classic upper and lower respiratory tract reaction to naso-ocular reactions only. LTMDs appeared to have the strongest effect (P < .001) in blocking lower respiratory tract reactions. Systemic corticosteroids did not have the same effects. Blocking of both upper and lower respiratory tract reactions to aspirin as a result of taking controller medications did not occur.


CONCLUSIONS
Controller medications are frequently needed to stabilize airways of patients with AERD. LTMDs alone or in combination with other controllers blocked lower respiratory tract reactions during aspirin challenge in some patients with AERD but did not change the overall rate of positive aspirin challenge results and did not lead to false-negative challenges.
White
Andrew A
AA
Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, California 92037, USA. drew_white@hotmail.com
Stevenson
Donald D
DD
Simon
Ronald A
RA
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006889:Hydroxycorticosteroids / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001239:Inhalation; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000175:diagnosis; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000175:diagnosis
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D006889:Hydroxycorticosteroids; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists; D001241:Aspirin