No abstract

BackgroundClinics and laboratory characteristics of asthmatic patients with aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD): asthma, polyposis and aspirin hypersensitivity.MethodsAsthmatic patients with AERD history were evaluated. They were evaluated about asthma severity, rhinitis severity, history of polypectomy, and atopy. Some complementary exams were performed: total and specific IgE, serum eosinophilia, spirometry and nasal fibroscopy.ResultsForty-seven patients concluded the study. The mean age of the patients was 53.1 years old and eighty-five percent were women. All patients had nasal polyposis and 23 patients (49%) had performed polypectomy. Thirty-nine patients (83%) had moderate/ severe persistent rhinitis and thirty-6 patients (77%) had moderate or severe persistent asthma and all of them were in inhaled corticosteroid treatment. The spirometry was classified as mild obstructive ventilatory disturbed (FEV1 3 60%) in 31 patients (66%). The mean value of total IgE was 427 IU/mL. The mean number of eosinophils was 477 cell/mm3. The specific IgE to inhaled allergens was present in 22 patients (47%), who also had family history of atopy.ConclusionsAERD is clinic syndrome related to chronic and severe inflammation of superior and inferior respiratory tracts, and is complicated with chronic rhino sinusitis, recurrent polyposis and asthma. In this study, thirty-six patients (77%) had history of rhino sinusitis and 50% had moderate and severe asthma. Atopy was confirmed in 47% of the patients. Polypectomy was performed as therapeutic treatment in 23 patients (49%). The prevalence of AERD in asthmatic patients is around 40%, and therefore, an early diagnosis is essential.