Role of aspirin desensitization in the management of chronic rhinosinusitis

Endoscopic sinus surgery improves aspirin treatment response in aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease patients

BACKGROUND

Aspirin desensitization and treatment benefits most patients with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD), although some patients fail therapy. Our objective was to assess whether recent endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) improved aspirin treatment outcomes in AERD patients who initially failed aspirin therapy.

METHODS

Outcomes of aspirin desensitization and treatment in AERD patients prospectively enrolled were assessed preoperatively and at 4, 12, and 24 weeks after ESS by determining changes in Asthma Control Test (ACT) and Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) scores and respiratory function. Biomarkers, including fractional excretion of nitric oxide (FeNO), spirometry, nasal inspiratory peak flow (NPF), immunoglobulin E (IgE), and eosinophil count, were measured.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients who benefited (responders) and 21 patients who failed (nonresponders) preoperative aspirin treatment with a distant history of ESS (mean, 48 months) were identified. Nonresponders were more likely to be African American (71%, p < 0.01) and have higher baseline IgE levels (252 kU/L vs 87 kU/L in responders, p < 0.01). 24 of the 40 patients (nine responders and 15 non-responders) required subsequent ESS and underwent another aspirin desensitization 3-4 weeks after ESS. All 24 patients tolerated a second round of aspirin desensitization and treatment. The primary aspirin therapy was associated with a significant increase in IgE in nonresponders, but there was no significant increase in IgE after the second aspirin desensitization and treatment.

CONCLUSION

Antecedent ESS enhances aspirin treatment responses in AERD patients and may convert patients who failed aspirin treatment before surgery to a more responsive phenotype after ESS. Patients with higher baseline serum IgE levels may benefit from ESS performed shortly before aspirin desensitization and therapy.

Samter's Triad: State of the Art

Samter’s triad (ST) is a well-known disease characterized by the triad of bronchial asthma, nasal polyps, and aspirin intolerance. Over the past few years, a rapid development in the knowledge of the pathogenesis and clinical characteristics of ST has happened. The aim of this paper is to review the recent investigations on the pathophysiological mechanisms and genetic background, diagnosis, and different therapeutic options of ST to advance our understanding of the mechanism and the therapeutic control of ST. As concern for ST increase, more application of aspirin desensitization will be required to manage this disease successfully. There is also a need for continued research efforts in pathophysiology, treatment, and possible prevention.

Aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease: Current topics and trends

Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease is a chronic and treatment-resistant disease, characterized by the presence of eosinophilic rhinosinusitis, nasal polyposis, bronchial asthma, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs hypersensitivity. Alterations in arachidonic acid metabolism may induce an imbalance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory substances, expressed as an overproduction of cysteinyl leukotrienes and an underproduction of prostaglandin E2. Although eosinophils play a key role, recent studies have shown the importance of other cells and molecules in the development of the disease like mast cells, basophils, lymphocytes, platelets, neutrophils, macrophages, epithelial respiratory cells, IL-33 and thymic stromal lymphopoietin, making each of them promissory diagnostic and treatment targets. In this review, we summarize the most important clinical aspects of the disease, including the current topics about diagnosis and treatment, like provocation challenges and aspirin desensitization. We also discuss recent findings in the pathogenesis of the disease, as well as future trends in diagnosis and treatment, including monoclonal antibodies and a low salicylate diet as a treatment option.

Effectiveness of extensive sinus surgery with post-operative medical management for chronic rhinosinusitis

OBJECTIVE

To prospectively assess treatment outcomes of chronic rhinosinusitis patients undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery and post-operative medical treatment over a prolonged follow-up period.

METHODS

Patients undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery in the tertiary referral practice of a single surgeon were studied prospectively. Symptoms were scored by patients pre-operatively and over a minimum follow-up period of 12 months.

RESULTS

The study comprised 200 non-consecutive patients. The median pre-operative symptom score was 16 (out of a maximum of 25) (95 per cent confidence interval = 15 to 17). Symptom scores reduced to a median of 7 (95 per cent confidence interval = 6 to 8) after 12 months of follow up (p < 0.0001). The median symptom score improved for all symptoms and across all patient subgroups.

CONCLUSION

Extensive functional endoscopic sinus surgery offers significant and durable symptom improvement in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis refractory to medical treatment. This improvement extends to all patient subgroups. Prolonged medical therapy is recommended after functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

Current complications and treatment of aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease

INTRODUCTION

Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease is defined by the clinical tetrad of aspirin sensitivity, nasal polyps, asthma, and chronic rhinosinusitis. Patients experience acute upper and lower airway reactions with exposure to aspirin and other cyclooxygenase-1 inhibiting medications. However, airway inflammation and disease progression occur even in the absence of exposure to these medications, often leading to aggressive polyp formation and need for systemic corticosteroids to treat exacerbations in asthma and rhinosinusitis. Areas covered: This review focuses on the direct and indirect complications of aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease. Current and potential management strategies are discussed with emphasis on aspirin desensitization. Expert commentary: Aspirin desensitization remains the gold standard of treatment. Demonstrated benefits of desensitization include improved symptom scores, reduction in use of systemic corticosteroids, slowing of polyp regrowth, and tolerance of aspirin and other NSAIDs for various therapeutic purposes. Continued investigation into the pathogenic mechanisms of AERD is likely to yield new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

[Adaptive desensitization for acetylsalicylic acid hypersensitivity: A success story?]

BACKGROUND

Adaptive desensitization still remains the only causative therapy for acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) hypersensitivity and is carried out nearly worldwide. To date there are hardly any data available on disease development under current desensitization therapy and longitudinal data in particular are missing.

STUDY DESIGN

Out of a large collective of patients with proven hypersensitivity to ASA, 194 patients with initiated desensitization treatment were observed for periods up to 5 years (average 32 months).

RESULTS

Patients with immediate reactions to systemic challenge tests revealed a response rate of 77% after 12 months of therapy. In this period 12% reached complete remission, 38% showed a clear reduction in symptoms, 32% reached partial remission, 13% remained unchanged and 5% suffered from disease progression.

CONCLUSION

Adaptive desensitization therapy for hypersensitivity to ASA has been shown to be an effective causative therapy and chronic hyperplastic sinusitis as well as bronchial asthma could be improved. For the determination of maintenance dosages and required time periods more data are needed.

The Role of Surgery in Management of Samter's Triad: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) represents a severe form of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) characterized by nasal polyposis, bronchial asthma, and aspirin intolerance. This syndrome, known as Samter's triad, is more difficult to manage than routine CRS and poses a challenge to the treating clinician. We performed a systematic review of the literature to determine the role of endoscopic sinus surgery in patients with AERD who are on adjuvant medical therapies.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Methodology Register, Cochrane Technology Assessments, Cochrane Economic Evaluations, Cochrane Groups, and Clinicaltrials.gov.

REVIEW METHODS

A systematic review of the literature was performed using the 2009 PRISMA guidelines. Studies with both preoperative and postoperative data for patients with AERD who underwent sinus surgery were considered appropriate for inclusion. Publications were written in English, included patients aged 18 years or older, and had a minimum follow-up of 3 months.

RESULTS

Eighteen studies met criteria for inclusion in our review. The primary outcome was change in symptom profile as measured by sinonasal and asthma symptom scores. Most studies demonstrated improvement in sinus- and asthma-related symptoms and quality-of-life measures after endoscopic sinus surgery.

CONCLUSION

This review, which did not exclude the use of concomitant medical therapy, suggests that surgery is beneficial in AERD management. Evidence demonstrates improvement in sinonasal and asthma symptom severity and frequency, radiographic and endoscopy scores, and quality of life after surgery.

Outcomes of modified endoscopic Lothrop in aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease with nasal polyposis

BACKGROUND

Patients with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) are often reported to be recalcitrant to standard medical and surgical intervention. Failure rates of standard endoscopic sinus surgery in these patients are reported to be as high as 90%. We review the outcomes for our cohort of AERD patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery and endoscopic modified Lothrop procedure (EMLP).

METHODS

Data was collected prospectively between January 2001 and December 2013. Information including demographics, asthma status, aspirin sensitivity, 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22), Lund-Mackay scores, and endoscopic ostium assessment were collected for up to 5 years. Minimum follow-up was 6 months.

RESULTS

A total of 31 AERD patients underwent complete sphenoethmoidectomy, maxillary antrostomy and EMLP during the study period with an average follow-up of 36 months. Polyp recurrence was seen in a total of 18 patients (58%). Seven patients required revision EMLP following initial surgery demonstrating a failure rate of 22.5%. AERD patients had a statistically significant increased risk of both nasal polyps recurrence and need for revision surgery. Revision EMLP was needed due to recurrence of nasal polyps in 6 cases and frontal ostium stenosis in a single case. Time to revision EMLP was similar between the groups.

CONCLUSION

Complete sphenoethmoidectomy, maxillary antrostomy, and EMLP is successful in a significant majority of patients with AERD and CRSwNP. It is well tolerated with a low complication rate and facilitates successful ongoing medical management of the condition in patients with AERD.

[ASA-intolerance syndrome and persistent rhinosinusitis : Differential diagnosis and treatment]

BACKGROUND

A differential diagnosis of persistent chronic rhinosinusitis is ASA-intolerance syndrome (AIS), also known as Aspirin®‑exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD), Samter-Trias (Samter's disease, Morbus Widal). Particularly in cases of frequent recurrency of nasal polyps in combination with bronchial asthma and hypersensitivity reactions to acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAR) can often be referred to an underlying AIS. The pathogenesis of this syndrome is attributed to a misallocation of the arachidonic acid metabolism, resulting in an increased leukotriene production.

METHODS

The diagnosis may be difficult in the early stages of the disease with incomplete triad of symptoms.

RESULTS

Therapy may consist of paranasal sinuses surgery, drug therapy and adaptive deactivation as the only causal treatment option for patients with AIS.

CONCLUSION

For adaptive desactivation, positive effects were actually shown even in patients with long-term recurrent or persistent complaints of chronic rhinosinusitis.

The role of aspirin desensitization in patients with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD)

Introduction

Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) consists of a classic tetrad: moderate/severe asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis, nasal polyps, and intolerance to aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Clinical control with drugs, surgery, and desensitization are treatment options.

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of aspirin desensitization in patients with AERD.

Methods

Periodic symptom assessment and endoscopy in patients with AERD undergoing surgery who were desensitized.

Results

Seventeen patients were desensitized. Eight patients completed the desensitization and were followed for a minimum of a one-year period (mean 3.1 years). These patients showed improvement in all symptoms. Moreover, surgical reassessment was not indicated in any of these patients and there was a decrease in costs with medication and procedures. Eight patients did not complete desensitization, mainly due to procedure intolerance and uncontrolled asthma, whereas another patient was lost to follow-up.

Conclusion

Aspirin desensitization, when tolerated, was effective in patients with AERD and with poor clinical/surgical response.

Treatment of Aspirin Exacerbated Respiratory Disease with a Low Salicylate Diet

Objective

Aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) is comprised of aspirin/acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) sensitivity, bronchial asthma, and nasal polyposis. Treatment of this condition is challenging and may include topical/systemic steroids, endoscopic sinus surgery, and/or aspirin desensitization.

Study Design

A prospective crossover pilot study (n = 10) was conducted in which patients were randomized into either of 2 groups with 6 weeks of regular diet (R) or 6 weeks of a low salicylate diet (LS).

Setting

The study was conducted in a tertiary otolaryngology clinic.

Subjects

Patients with AERD were enrolled in the study.

Methods

Subjective (Sino-nasal Outcome Test-22 [SNOT-22], Nasal Sinus Symptom Scale [NSSS], and the Asthma Control Questionnaire-7 [ACQ-7]) and objective outcome instruments (Peri-Operative Sinus Evaluation [POSE] and Lund-Kennedy Endoscopic Score [LKES]) were used to evaluate patients at baseline, 6 weeks (at crossover), and 12 weeks.

Results

Wilcoxon rank sum tests demonstrated that patients on the low salicylate diet had improved scores compared to their regular diet when evaluated by 4 of the 5 outcome measures (SNOT-22 pLS = 0.0059, NSSS pLS = 0.0195, LKES pLS = 0.0039, POSE pLS = 0.005).

Conclusion

Results of the pilot study indicate that implementation of a low salicylate diet improves the nasal symptoms and nasal endoscopy findings of individuals with AERD. Further research is required to support these findings.

Long-term sinonasal outcomes of aspirin desensitization in aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess sinonasal outcomes in patients with aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) undergoing aspirin desensitization following endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS).

STUDY DESIGN

Case series with chart review.

SETTING

University hospital.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A retrospective review of sinonasal outcomes was conducted for 30 AERD patients undergoing aspirin desensitization and maintenance therapy following ESS. Sinonasal outcomes were prospectively assessed by the Sinonasal Outcomes Test-22 (SNOT-22) and endoscopic polyp grading system. Data were collected preoperatively, 1 and 4 weeks postsurgery (before desensitization), and 1, 6, 12, 18, 24, and 30 months after aspirin desensitization.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight of 30 patients (93.3%) successfully completed aspirin desensitization, whereas 2 of 30 (6.7%) were unable to complete desensitization due to respiratory intolerance. Of the 21 patients who successfully completed a minimum of 24 weeks of follow-up, 20 (95.2%) patients demonstrated sustained endoscopic and symptomatic improvement for a median follow-up period of 33 months. After surgical treatment but before desensitization, patients experienced significant reductions in SNOT-22 and polyp grade scores. In the first 6 months after aspirin desensitization, patients experienced further significant reductions in SNOT-22 scores, whereas polyp grade remained stable. The improvements in symptom endoscopic scores were preserved throughout the follow-up period after desensitization. No patients required additional sinus surgery. One patient had to discontinue aspirin therapy due to gastrointestinal side effects. No other adverse reactions to aspirin were noted.

CONCLUSION

Aspirin desensitization following ESS appears to be a well-tolerated and effective adjunctive therapy for long-term control of nasal polyposis in patients with AERD.

Aspirin desensitization: useful treatment for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) in aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD)?

Aspirin intolerance syndrome is due to disturbances in the arachidonic acid metabolism implicating both the lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase pathways. This results in imbalances of eicosanoid, leukotriene and prostaglandin synthesis. Thus, preinflammatory cysteinyl leukotrienes increase and antiinflammatory prostaglandins (PG) such as PGE2 decrease. Clinically, intolerance reactions to nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can lead to different clinical manifestations; five phenotypes of the aspirin intolerance syndrome are listed in the ENDA classification. Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) is the most common phenotype characterized by an eosinophil-dominated inflammatory disease of the airways that presents clinically with nasal polyps, chronic sinusitis and bronchial asthma. About 34 % of patients with aspirin-induced asthma and rhinosinusitis are thought to have AERD. Important biochemical findings in many AERD patients are increased basal leukotriene levels (at least in cell cultures) that excessively increase after intake of COX-1 inhibitors. Aspirin desensitization uses the repetitive application of aspirin to induce a tolerance to NSAIDs, especially COX-1 inhibitors. After a dose-increase phase reaching a threshold dose, a dose-continuation phase is performed. For application, the nasal, bronchial, oral and intravenous routes have been described. Aspirin desensitization has been proven to be efficacious and safe and was able to reduce the need for other medications in AERD patients.

Drug allergy: causes and desensitization

Allergic drug reactions occur when a drug, usually a low molecular weight molecule, has the ability to stimulate an immune response. This can be done in one of two ways. The first is by binding covalently to a self-protein, to produce a haptenated molecule that can be processed and presented to the adaptive immune system to induce an immune response. Sometimes the drug itself cannot do this but a reactive breakdown product of the drug is able to bind covalently to the requisite self-protein or peptide. The second way in which drugs can stimulate an immune response is by binding non-covalently to antigen presenting or antigen recognition molecules such as the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) or the T cell receptor. This is known as the p-I or pharmacological interaction hypothesis. The drug binding in this situation is reversible and stimulation of the response may occur on first exposure, not requiring previous sensitization. There is probably a dependence on the presence of certain MHC alleles and T cell receptor structures for this type of reaction to occur.

[Aspirin desensitization: therapy options in patients with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease]

Aspirin desensitization has established itself as an additional therapy option in the treatment of aspirin- exacerbated respiratory disease, recurrent chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps. Inpatient treatment is strongly recommended due to the risk of life-threatening side effects. In addition, the necessary requirements, indications and contraindications should be carefully considered from a medicolegal perspective. A maintenance dose of 300 (-500) mg ASS is currently recommended. Indications include persisting symptoms despite intensive medical care and/or recurrent nasal polyps, leading to recurrent sinus operations and/or the need to take systemic corticosteroids in order to control nasal symptoms or asthma. If ASS intake is interrupted for more than 48 h, aspirin desensitization should be resumed to prevent renewed intolerance reactions.

Immunomodulatory treatments for aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease

BACKGROUND

Aspirin triad is a subclass of chronic sinusitis characterized by nasal polyposis, nonallergic induced asthma, and aspirin sensitivity. Also known as Samter's triad or aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease, aspirin triad commonly affects the adult population and is seldom found in pediatric patients.

METHODS

This rhinosinusitis has multiple layers of pathological process, but the ultimate predicament is caused by cysteinyl leukotrienes (cysLTs).

RESULTS

Pharmacotherapies include oral steroid, lipoxygenase inhibitor, and cysLT receptor inhibitor drugs, which can provide some relief for these patients.

CONCLUSION

Immunomodulation via aspirin desensitization is considered when pharmacotherapy has failed. When aspirin triad is unmanageable with medical treatment alone, endoscopic sinus surgery with polypectomy can alleviate the patient's symptoms, allowing for a better response to postoperative medical management such as topical medication as well as delivery of topical medications.

Current view on nasal polyps management in Samter's triad patients

The nasal polyps associated with Samter's triad are often very extensive, difficult to treat, with great tendency to recurrence. In this paper the current opinion on nasal polyps management in aspirin triad patients was presented.

PATHOGENESIS

Opinions on pathogenesis of these disease was remembered as well as its epidemiology.

DIAGNOSTIC METHODS

The available diagnostic methods were presented. Treatment options: The available preservative treatment options was analyzed including aspirin desensitization. The role of surgical treatment, functional endoscopic sinus surgery was analyzed.

How the practice of allergy shows the promise and challenge of personalized medicine

Personalized medicine seeks to stratify therapies according to individual characteristics, and by so doing improve effectiveness and reduce complications. However, there are not many models of care that is highly stratified within a single diagnosis in this manner. One potential model is the practice of allergy, in which care is tailored to specific allergens for individual patients within the broader context of care for rhinitis or asthma. Allergists have already confronted many of the same regulatory issues anticipated for personalized medicine. The history of allergy practice also anticipates some of the patient safety concerns that may arise from tracking and using highly personalized medical information. Finally, the therapy of allergy and asthma has been at the forefront of attempts to incorporate pharmacogenomics information into patient care. Individualized therapy has always been central to the practice of allergy, and so provides a useful proving ground for personalized medicine as a concept of care.

Pathophysiology of Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyp

Background

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common inflammatory condition of the paranasal sinuses and nasal passages. CRS with nasal polyp (CRSwNP) is a subtype of CRS, and the pathogenesis of CRSwNP remains largely unclear.

Methods

This article reviews the literature regarding the pathophysiology of CRSwNP.

Results

Evidence suggests that altered innate immunity, adaptive immunity, tissue remodeling, and/or effects of microorganisms may play a role in the development of CRSwNP. Aberrant arachidonic acid metabolism may also contribute to the pathogenesis of CRSwNP in patients with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease.

Conclusion

There have been significant advances in the understanding pathophysiology of CRSwNP. Additional research is needed to elucidate these mechanisms and to determine their relative importance in the pathogenesis of CRSwNP.