Approach to desensitization in aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease

One- versus 2-day aspirin desensitization in aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease: A quality improvement project

Background

Current aspirin desensitization protocols for aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) require from 1 to 3 days to complete.

Objective

Our aim was to assess the implementation of a 1-day versus 2-day aspirin desensitization protocol in patients with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease.

Methods

We used a preintervention-postintervention quality improvement design to compare the completion rates, reaction rates, and estimated costs of a 2-day versus 1-day aspirin desensitization. The cost for each desensitization was estimated on the basis of 2017-2020 US Medicare standards. We included the predesensitization variables for FEV1 value, urinary leukotriene E4 level, absolute eosinophil count (AEC), and total IgE level for each group.

Results

A total of 15 patients underwent a 2-day aspirin desensitization in the 4-year (2017-2020) preintervention period and were compared with 8 patients who underwent a 1-day aspirin desensitization in the 1-year (2021) postintervention period. The desensitization completion rate (93% vs 100% [P = 1]) and the mean number of reactions requiring intervention during the desensitization protocols (0.26 vs 0.8 [P = .14]) were similar between groups. The average time frame between last polypectomy and desensitization was longer in the 2-day group (1946 vs 39.2 days [P = .03]). The mean values for FEV1 level, urinary leukotriene E4 level, absolute eosinophil count, and total IgE level were 76% vs 83% (P = .6), 1084 vs 385 pg/mg (P = .2), 686 vs 306 cells/μL (P = .74), and 735 vs 278 kU/L (P = .5), respectively. The estimated direct cost reduction was $762 per aspirin desensitization for using 1-day vs 2-day aspirin desensitization.

Conclusion

Compared with a 2-day protocol, the implementation of a 1-day aspirin desensitization was characterized by similar completion and reaction rates as well as lower costs.

Aspirin Exacerbated Respiratory Disease: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Management

The correlation between aspirin sensitivity, asthma, and nasal polyposis was recognized in the early 20th century. Today, this classic triad of symptoms, eponymously named Samter's Triad, is known as aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD). Aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease affects approximately 0.3⁻0.9% of the general population in the USA and approximately 7% of asthmatic patients. The management of AERD is challenging as no single modality has proven to have high rates of symptom control. Consequently, disease management typically involves a multimodality approach across both medical and surgical disciplines. This review describes the epidemiology of AERD and the current state-of-the-art as it relates to the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms of this disease process. A significant proportion of the review is focused on the appropriate diagnostic workup for AERD patients including the utility of aspirin provocation testing. The spectrum of medical treatments, including aspirin desensitization and recently introduced immunotherapies, are discussed in detail. Furthermore, surgical approaches to disease control, including advanced endoscopic techniques, are reviewed and treatment outcomes presented.

Aspirin and Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs Hypersensitivity and Management

Aspirin and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used in the United States and throughout the world for a variety of indications. Several unique hypersensitivity syndromes exist to this class of medications, making them one of the common reasons for consultation to the allergist. The lack of any laboratory-based diagnostic studies to assist in identifying the culprits in these reactions make evaluation of aspirin and NSAID hypersensitivity challenging. Identifying patients appropriate for oral challenge and/or desensitization protocols is the standard pragmatic approach to this issue when it arises.