[Clinical findings of sensitivity to analgesics and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs].

BACKGROUND

Analgesics (ANA) and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID) may simulate an allergic reaction or aggravate asthma and urticaria.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was the analysis of the clinical findings in patients sensitive to ANA/NSAID.

METHODS AND SUBJECTS: The charts of 183 patients with history of reacting to these drugs were retrospectively analysed.

RESULTS

There were 93 (51%) females and 90 (49%) males; 63 (34%) were aged 15 years or less. Females predominate in the age group older than 15 years (p = 0,02). The age by the time of the first reaction varied from 7 months to 65 years (median 15 years). Skin tests to inhalant allergens were positive to at least one antigen in 100/138 patients (72%). Clinical presentation was angioedema (86%); urticaria (39%); systemic reaction (30%); nasal and ocular (15%); and asthma (14%). The frequency of symptoms was not related to age. Family history of ANA/NSAID sensitivity was present in 3.8% of patients. Associated diseases were rhinitis (55%), chronic urticaria (47%), asthma (37%) and conjuntivitis (18%). Among asthmatics 16 (23,5%) had had attacks with ANA/NSAID. Nine non asthmatics (7.7%) had had bronchospasm as clinical presentation. This difference was statistically significant. Repeated reactions occurred in 107 (58%) patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Sensitivity to ANA/NSAID was frequent in atopics; children and adults responded similarly; reactions were more common in adult females; palpebral angioedema was the most frequent clinical presentation; bronchosphasm was usually seen in asthmatics and most patients reacted repeatedly to different drugs.