The prevalence of aspirin-induced asthma in Saudian asthmatic patients.
BACKGROUND
Aspirin-induced asthma (AIA), is a distinct clinical syndrome affecting some asthmatic patients. Although the name of the condition relates to aspirin, it is well established that affected patients are cross-sensitive to all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).


OBJECTIVE
Assessing the prevalence of AIA among Saudian asthmatic patients.


METHODS
This is a retrospective study of the medical records of asthmatic patients.


RESULTS
The prevalence of AIA in the patients studied was found to be 12.6%. Statistical analyses indicated that AIA was associated with more severe asthma [odds ratio (OR) (95% Confidence interval (CI)) in Group I cases 2.86 (1.24 to 6.59) respectively (p<0.05)]. The results showed that some allergic conditions were significantly more common in Group I for allergic rhinitis (OR=2.19, 95% CI 0.89-5.37, p<0.05), pollinosis (OR=1.59, 95% CI 0.85-2.98, p<0.05) for antibiotic allergy (OR=1.25, 95% CI 0.65-2.41, p<0.05) and for atopic dermatitis (OR=1.34, 95% CI 0.70-2.55, p<0.05). Family history of allergy had a more significant role in Group I cases (OR=1.27, 95% CI 0.68-2.37, p<0.05). No gender difference on asthma severity was detected in either group (Chi(2)=2.19, p>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of respiratory symptoms triggered by aspirin/NSAID use was 12.6% in the asthmatics studied. AIA appears to be a significant problem and further investigations of the mechanisms of these responses and the possible link between this syndrome and other allergic co-morbidities are required.
Chest Department, Kasr ALAini Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt. ehsan_fr@yahoo.fr
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D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects; D055963:Asthma, Aspirin-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012529:Saudi Arabia
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal