Churg-Strauss syndrome and leukotriene antagonist use: a respiratory perspective.
BACKGROUND
Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) is a rare granulomatous small vessel vasculitis that occurs against a background of longstanding asthma. Leukotriene antagonists (LTAs) are used in the management of asthma and may facilitate a reduction in steroid dosage. Reports of the development of CSS in patients with asthma following the initiation of LTA therapy suggest either a causal association or an unmasking of latent CSS as steroid doses fall. We have undertaken a systematic review to establish whether evidence of a drug induced syndrome exists.


METHODS
Systematic review searching Medline from database inception to August 2007 to identify cases with a possible association between LTAs and CSS. Hill's criteria of causation were used to assess strength of causality.


RESULTS
62 cases in which CSS developed after the introduction of LTA therapy were identified. Patients were divided into three groups: group 1 had received no previous steroid therapy; group 2 had been treated with oral and/or inhaled corticosteroids, but had no change in steroid therapy following LTA introduction; and group 3 had a clear reduction in steroid therapy following introduction of LTA therapy. The majority of patients from each group exhibited a clear temporal relationship between initiation of LTA and development of CSS, with no evidence of pre-existing disease.


CONCLUSIONS
Currently available evidence suggests an association between LTA and CSS that may be causal.
Nathani
N
N
Department of Thoracic Medicine, City Hospital, Dudley Road, Birmingham B18 7QH, UK. n.nathani@nhs.net
Little
M A
MA
Kunst
H
H
Wilson
D
D
Thickett
D R
DR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / Q000097:blood; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D015267:Churg-Strauss Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists