Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease

Key Points

• To summarize the clinical prevalence, symptoms, and medical management options for patients with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease.
• Clinical review examining respiratory responses, mucosal changes, and polyp formation following exposure to COX-1 inhibitors in asthmatic populations.
• Evaluation of pharmacologic management strategies including glucocorticoids, antihistamines, and desensitization protocols.
• Approximately 7% of patients with asthma present with mucosal swelling, nasal polyps, and worsening asthma upon ingestion of aspirin and other COX-1 inhibitors.
• Clinical symptoms are treatable through interventions comprising glucocorticoids, antihistamines, and aspirin desensitization.