Aspirin Exacerbated Respiratory Disease: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Management

Is endoscopic sinus surgery sufficient to modify the evolution of adult AERD? Aspirin desensitization as a maintenance factor: systematic review

Introduction

Aspirin desensitization (AD) and aspirin therapy after desensitization (ATAD) are therapeutic interventions for patients with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD). Our aim is to investigate whether its addition to endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) improves the overall prognosis of the disease.

Methods

A systematic review of the current literature including adult patients with a positive diagnosis of AERD undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) in the context or in absence of upper airway comorbidity, prior to AD + ATAD.

Conclusion

This review concludes that the surgical approach is beneficial in AERD, but its effects are short-lived. Surgery should be considered initially with subsequent AD + ATAD in AERD patients, due to the sustained improvement achieved compared to those receiving ESS alone.

Demographic and clinical profile of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis in Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVES

To determine the clinical features of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis at a tertiary hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was carried out at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. We enrolled 660 male and female participants with medical records indicating a history of chronic rhinosinusitis between 2021 and 2022. Quantitative and descriptive analyses of age, gender, nationality, presence of polyps, aspirin sensitivity, presence of urticaria, asthma, and allergies were performed.

RESULTS

Of the 660 enrolled patients, 60% (n=396) were male and 40% (n=264) were female. Additionally, 67.7% (447) had nasal polyps, 32% had a history of asthma, 10% had hypersensitivity to aspirin, 1.4% reported a history of urticaria, 9.7% reported allergies to medications, 7.9% reported food allergies, 26% reported multiple allergies, and 1.8% reported environmental allergies.

CONCLUSION

Our study revealed the following: Samter's triad was present in 6.9% of participants with chronic rhinosinusitis; the greatest prevalence of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps was observed among those older than 50 years. The prevalence of urticaria was not significantly different among groups; a higher rate of environmental allergies was observed among those with CRSwNP than among those without nasal polyps; and a higher prevalence of aspirin hypersensitivity was observed among those with CRSwNP than among non-polyps group.

Dupilumab increases aspirin tolerance in NSAID-exacerbated respiratory disease

BACKGROUND

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-exacerbated respiratory disease (N-ERD) comprises the triad of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, asthma and intolerance to NSAIDs. Dupilumab treatment, targeting the interleukin-4 (IL-4) receptor α, significantly reduces polyp burden as well as asthma symptoms. Here we aimed to investigate the effect of dupilumab on aspirin intolerance, burden of disease and nasal cytokine profiles in patients with N-ERD.

METHODS

In this open-label trial, adult patients with confirmed N-ERD were treated with dupilumab for 6 months. Clinical parameters (e.g. total polyp scores, quality of life questionnaires, smell test, spirometry), oral aspirin provocation testing and blood, nasal and urine sampling were monitored at regular intervals for up to 6 months after starting dupilumab therapy.

RESULTS

Of the 31 patients included in the study, 30 completed both aspirin provocation tests. After 6 months of treatment with dupilumab, 23% of patients (n=7 of 30) developed complete aspirin tolerance and an additional 33% of patients (n=10 of 30) tolerated higher doses. Polyp burden was significantly reduced (total polyp score: -2.68±1.84, p<0.001), while pulmonary symptoms (asthma control test: +2.34±3.67, p<0.001) and olfactory performance improved (University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test: +11.16±9.54, p<0.001) in all patients after therapy. Patients with increased aspirin tolerance showed a significant decrease in urinary leukotriene E4 levels and their improvement in clinical parameters was associated with a reduction of eotaxin-1, C-C motif chemokine ligand 17, IL-5, IL-17A and IL-6.

CONCLUSION

In this study, 57% of N-ERD patients tolerated higher doses of aspirin under dupilumab therapy.

Understanding the CRSwNP Patient as Whole

BACKGROUND

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a distinct inflammatory disease of the upper airways with a significant impact on the health and quality of life of affected patients. Several comorbid conditions such as allergic rhinitis, asthma, sleep disorders, and gastroesophageal reflux disease are commonly reported in patients with CRSwNP.

OBJECTIVE

In this article, we intended to review the UpToDate information on how these comorbidities can impact CRSwNP patients' health and well-being.

METHODS

A PUBMED search was performed to review relevant recent article on the topic.

RESULTS

While there have been significant advances in the knowledge and management options for CRSwNP in the past few years, additional studies are needed to understand the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms of these associations. In addition, awareness of the impact of CRSwNP on mental health, quality of life, and cognition is paramount to treating this condition.

CONCLUSION

Recognition and addressing CRSwNP comorbidities such as allergic rhinitis, asthma, sleep disorders, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and cognitive function impairment are important to optimally understand and manage the patient with CRSwNP as a whole.

The relative proportion of comorbidities among rhinitis and rhinosinusitis patients and their impact on visit burden

Background

The aim was to evaluate the relative proportion of Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug exacerbated respiratory disease (NERD) and other comorbidities, and their impact on the burden of outpatient visits due to allergic rhinitis (AR), non‐allergic rhinitis (NAR), acute rhinosinusitis (ARS), and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and without (CRSsNP).

Methods

We used hospital registry data of a random sample of 5080 rhinitis/rhinosinusitis patients diagnosed during 2005–2019. International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD10) diagnoses, visits, and other factors were collected from electronic health records by using information extraction and data processing methods. Cox's proportional hazards model was used for modeling the time to the next outpatient visit.

Results

The mean (±standard deviation) age of the population was 33.6 (±20.7) years and 56.1% were female. The relative proportion of AR, NAR, ARS, CRSsNP and CRSwNP, were 33.5%, 27.5%, 27.2%, 20.7%, and 10.9%, respectively. The most common other comorbidities were asthma (44.4%), other chronic respiratory diseases (38.5%), musculoskeletal diseases (38.4%), and cardiovascular diseases (35.7%). Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug exacerbated respiratory disease existed in 3.9% of all patients, and 17.7% of the CRSwNP group. The relative proportion of subjects having 1, 2, 3 and ≥ 4 other diseases were 18.0%, 17.6%, 17.0%, 37.0%, respectively. All diseases except AR, ARS, and mouth breathing, were associated with a high frequency of outpatient visits.

Conclusions

Our results revealed a high relative proportion of NERD and other comorbidities, which affect the burden of outpatient visits and hence confirm the socioeconomic impact of upper airway diseases.

Patient-Reported Control of Asthma, Nasal Polyposis, and Middle-Ear Symptoms in NSAID-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-exacerbated respiratory disease (NERD) is an adult-onset inflammatory condition of the upper and lower airways. It is characterized by the co-existence of asthma, nasal polyposis, and hypersensitivity to NSAIDs. Over one-fourth of patients also have symptoms of chronic middle-ear infection. The clinical course of NERD is often severe and generally requires multimodal treatment with recurrent surgical measures. Studies presenting the disease burden and subjective symptom control of NERD are limited. In this qualitative questionnaire study, we present the clinical characteristics of asthma, nasal polyposis, NSAID intolerance and possible recurrent or chronic middle-ear infection of 66 confirmed NERD patients treated at our tertiary referral center between January 2016 and May 2017. Additionally, we present the patient-reported disease control of asthma, nasal polyposis, and middle-ear symptoms on a four-category Likert scale. The proportion of NERD patients with recurrent or chronic middle-ear infection was 18%. The proportion of good or very good subjective disease control was 83% for asthma, 58% for nasal polyposis, and 33% for chronic middle-ear infection, if present. Chronic middle-ear infection is common among NERD patients and should more often be recognized as part of the entity. Together with nasal polyposis, chronic middle-ear infection seems to affect patients more than asthma. The patient's perspective of disease control should be considered when planning the interdisciplinary follow-up and treatment of NERD.

Aspirin Actions in Treatment of NSAID-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease

Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID)-exacerbated respiratory disease (N-ERD) is characterized by nasal polyposis, chronic rhinosinusitis, adult-onset asthma and hypersensitive reactions to cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) inhibitors. Among the available treatments for this disease, a combination of endoscopic sinus surgery followed by aspirin desensitization and aspirin maintenance therapy has been an effective approach. Studies have shown that long-term aspirin maintenance therapy can reduce the rate of nasal polyp recurrence in patients with N-ERD. However, the exact mechanism by which aspirin can both trigger and suppress airway disease in N-ERD remains poorly understood. In this review, we summarize current knowledge of aspirin effects in N-ERD, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, and consider potential mechanistic pathways accounting for the effects of aspirin in N-ERD.

Aspirin Exacerbated Respiratory Disease and Nasal Polyp Phenotyping

Aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) is known by the triad of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP), aspirin hypersensitivity, and asthma, but its etiology and physiopathogenesis are still unclear. This cross-sectional study was designed to investigate allergy and inflammatory cells (neutrophils vs. eosinophils) dominancy in nasal polyp tissue of patients with AERD compared to non-AERD patients. CRSwNP patients scheduled for endoscopic sinus surgery were recruited in this study. Nasal polyp tissue was analyzed for infiltrating cells, and Eosinophil dominant and neutrophil dominant polyps were determined. AERD was confirmed by oral aspirin challenge (OAC). Demographics data; history of asthma, exacerbation by using NSAIDs, routine use of aspirin, type of surgery (primary or revision), and results of skin prick test and spirometry were recorded. Pathology results and contributing factors compared between AERD and non-AERD patients. Sixty-five patients (39 women, 26 men) were enrolled in the study (mean age 38.83 ± 12.43 years). Thirty (46%) patients had positive OAC tests. Totally 41 patients (63.1%) had eosinophilic polyps. 80% of patients with eosinophilic polyp had positive OAC and were AERD (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in demographics, revision surgery, and concomitant asthma between AERD and non-AERD groups (P > 0.05). The positive skin prick test was higher in AERD and also in eosinophilic polyp patients, but it was not statistically significant (P = 0.086 and P = 0.177). Eosinophilic polyps are more common in AERD. A positive skin prick test is associated with AERD and eosinophilic polyp.

Systematic review of outcomes for endoscopic sinus surgery and subsequent aspirin desensitization in aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease

Objective

To review and evaluate outcomes of patients with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) following endoscopic sinus surgery and subsequent aspirin desensitization.

Methods

Electronic searches of OVID MEDLINE (1948 to September 10, 2019), EMBASE (1980 to September 10, 2019), and PubMed were performed on September 10, 2019. 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 and aspirin desensitization were considered appropriate for inclusion. Publications were written in English and included patients aged 18 years or older.

Results

Six studies met inclusion criteria for this systematic review. The primary outcome measure was change in symptom profile measured by patient-reported quality of life scores. The results demonstrate statistically significant improvement in symptoms following endoscopic sinus surgery, with sustained improvement following aspirin desensitization. Revision surgery rates were significantly lower in patients maintained on aspirin therapy.

Conclusion

This review suggests that surgery followed by aspirin desensitization results in improvement in both subjective and objective outcome measures. The adjunctive use of aspirin desensitization allows for long-term stability in symptom scores. Recurrence of polyps and worsening symptoms requiring revision surgery occurs when aspirin maintenance therapy is interrupted.

The Role of Mast Cells in Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease (AERD) Pathogenesis: Implications for Future Therapeutics

Mast cells (MC) have recently been demonstrated to play an integral role in the pathogenesis of aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD). When activated, MCs release pre-formed granules of many pro-inflammatory mediators, including histamine, serotonin, and various chemokines and cytokines including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interferon ɣ (IFN ɣ), macrophage inhibitory factor, transforming growth factor, interleukin (IL) 1, 3–6, 9, 10, 13 and 16. These mediators promote inflammation in AERD by recruiting or activating a network of cells involved in acute and chronic inflammatory pathways, such as endothelial, epithelial, stromal, and other immune cells. Several studies have implicated multifactorial pathways for MC activation in AERD beyond classical IgE mediated mechanisms. The elucidation of these complex networks therefore represents important targets for innovative patient therapeutics. This review summarizes classic and alternative pathways of MC activation in AERD with a special focus in relation to new and emerging treatment strategies.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and organ damage: A current perspective

Owing to the efficacy in reducing pain and inflammation, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are amongst the most popularly used medicines confirming their position in the WHO's Model List of Essential Medicines. With escalating musculoskeletal complications, as evident from 2016 Global Burden of Disease data, NSAID usage is evidently unavoidable. Apart from analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic efficacies, NSAIDs are further documented to offer protection against diverse critical disorders including cancer and heart attacks. However, data from multiple placebo-controlled trials and meta-analyses studies alarmingly signify the adverse effects of NSAIDs in gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, hepatic, renal, cerebral and pulmonary complications. Although extensive research has elucidated the mechanisms underlying the clinical hazards of NSAIDs, no review has extensively collated the outcomes on various multiorgan toxicities of these drugs together. In this regard, the present review provides a comprehensive insight of the existing knowledge and recent developments on NSAID-induced organ damage. It precisely encompasses the current understanding of structure, classification and mode of action of NSAIDs while reiterating on the emerging instances of NSAID drug repurposing along with pharmacophore modification aimed at safer usage of NSAIDs where toxic effects are tamed without compromising the clinical benefits. The review does not intend to vilify these 'wonder drugs'; rather provides a careful understanding of their side-effects which would be beneficial in evaluating the risk-benefit threshold while rationally using NSAIDs at safer dose and duration.

Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease: A review

OBJECTIVES

Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) is a chronic respiratory condition characterized by a triad of symptoms: asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis, and a respiratory reaction to aspirin and other cyclooxygenase-1 inhibitors, also known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The objective of this review is to provide otolaryngologists with an overview of the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of this under-recognized condition.

DATA SOURCES AND METHODS

Foundational papers on AERD were reviewed, focusing on the clinical otolaryngology and allergy/immunology literature and other high impact journals or trials.

RESULTS

AERD results from increased production of pro-inflammatory leukotrienes and a decrease in production of anti-inflammatory prostaglandins associated with the dysregulation of multiple enzymes influencing eicosanoid metabolism. Diagnosis hinges on a high index of suspicion, careful history, and confirmatory testing for all three elements. Treatments include endoscopic sinus surgery; topical, inhaled, or oral corticosteroids; aspirin desensitization; leukotriene modifying drugs; and the new class of biologics such as dupilumab.

CONCLUSION

AERD is an under-recognized disease associated with substantial patient-reported morbidity. We expect rapid progress in the pathophysiological understanding of this disease and available treatments in the coming decades.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

5.

The Biology of Prostaglandins and Their Role as a Target for Allergic Airway Disease Therapy

Prostaglandins (PGs) are a family of lipid compounds that are derived from arachidonic acid via the cyclooxygenase pathway, and consist of PGD₂, PGI₂, PGE₂, PGF₂, and thromboxane B₂. PGs signal through G-protein coupled receptors, and individual PGs affect allergic inflammation through different mechanisms according to the receptors with which they are associated. In this review article, we have focused on the metabolism of the cyclooxygenase pathway, and the distinct biological effect of each PG type on various cell types involved in allergic airway diseases, including asthma, allergic rhinitis, nasal polyposis, and aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease.

The Role of Leukotrienes as Potential Therapeutic Targets in Allergic Disorders

Leukotrienes (LTs) are lipid mediators that play pivotal roles in acute and chronic inflammation and allergic diseases. They exert their biological effects by binding to specific G-protein-coupled receptors. Each LT receptor subtype exhibits unique functions and expression patterns. LTs play roles in various allergic diseases, including asthma (neutrophilic asthma and aspirin-sensitive asthma), allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and anaphylaxis. This review summarizes the biology of LTs and their receptors, recent developments in the area of anti-LT strategies (in settings such as ongoing clinical studies), and prospects for future therapeutic applications.