[Asthma and aspirin intolerance].

Undesirable reactions to aspirin and other non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs compose a diverse group of clinical manifestations with different pathogenic mechanisms. In this review we describe one particular type of manifestation: aspirin-induced asthma. This syndrome describes a straightforward situation with typical clinical signs. The distinctive sign is asthma triggered by aspirin and NSAID. Data has accumulated over recent years concerning the interference of these drugs with arachidonic acid metabolism in the bronchi and lungs. In patients sensitive to aspirin inhibition of cyclooxygenase is accompanied by overproduction of cysteinyl leucotrienes. The clinical course of this condition, the pathogenic mechanisms of the undesirable reactions to aspirin, and treatment are discussed.