Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease
Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease is a specific asthma phenotype, which includes:
- asthma
- nasal polyposis
- aspirin sensitivity (which may coexist with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug [NSAID] sensitivity)
- chronic hyperplastic eosinophilic sinusitis.
Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease is more common in females. It often starts with nasal symptoms. Asthma symptoms are more likely to be severe, and usually start when patients are in their twenties or thirties.
Refer patients with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease to a specialist for assessment. Aspirin challenges are dangerous; desensitisation must only be done under specialist supervision.