Clinical updates in aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease.

Background

Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD), a syndrome that includes asthma, recurrent nasal polyps, and pathognomonic reactions to aspirin and other nonselective cyclooxygenase inhibitors, is still not fully understood and lacks specific disease-modifying therapeutic options.

Objective

To review the most recent clinical updates in the evaluation and treatment of patients with AERD.

Methods

Recent clinical research studies relevant to patients with AERD were reviewed.

Results

Multiple new biologics are available for the treatment of severe asthma, several of which have been specifically studied and determined to be efficacious in the subset of patients with asthma who are also aspirin sensitive. Zileuton continues to be underprescribed for AERD and is considered to be very effective by many patients with AERD. Dietary modifications toward a diet that is high in omega-3 fatty acids and low in omega-6 fatty acids can reduce the production of the inflammatory leukotriene and prostaglandin D₂ lipids and help improve symptoms for patients with AERD.

Conclusion

A lack of definitive understanding of the causative mechanisms of AERD and the absence of an AERD-specific patient-reported outcome measure are obstacles that remain in this field, but much progress has been made over the past decade.