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Evidence summaries

Prevalence of Aspirin-Induced Asthma

The prevalence of aspirin/induced asthma may be about 10% among adult asthmatic patients. There is almost 100% cross sensitivity with other NSAIDs. Level of evidence: "C"

A systematic review 1 including 27 studies with a total of more than 9,000 subjects was abstracted in DARE. 8,000 participants were included in 6 retrospective studies of medical records and surveys with verbal history evidence only. The pooled prevalence of aspirin-induced asthma in unselected populations of adults with asthma was 21% (95% CI: 14 to 29) when using the results of oral provocation testing (5 studies), and 3% (95% CI: 2, 4) when using verbal history alone (6 studies). When using the results of oral provocation testing, prevalence was 30% (95% CI: 18 to 41) for pre-selected populations with a history of aspirin-induced asthma (7 studies) and 9% (95% CI: 4 to 14) for pre-selected populations with no history (2 studies). In unselected populations of children with asthma, the prevalence of aspirin-induced asthma was 5% (95% CI: 0 to 14) when using oral provocation test results (3 studies) and 2% (95% CI: 1, 3) when using verbal history alone (1 study). When using the results of oral provocation testing, prevalence was 16% (95% CI: 4 to 27) for pre-selected populations with no history of sensitivity (2 studies). The pooled incidences of cross sensitivity to NSAIDs were as follows: ibuprofen 98% (95% CI: 90 to 100; 2 studies), naproxen 100% (95% CI: 83 to, 100; 2 studies), diclofenac 93% (95% CI: 76 to 100; 2 studies). The pooled incidence of cross sensitivity to paracetamol was 7% (95% CI: 0 to 16; 8 studies).

References

  • Jenkins C, Costello J, Hodge L. Systematic review of prevalence of aspirin induced asthma and its implications for clinical practice. BMJ 2004 Feb 21;328(7437):434. [PubMed][DARE]

Primary/Secondary Keywords