The Frequency of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Hypersensitivity in Children with Asthma

Abstract

Background: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the second-most frequent drug type to cause hypersensitivity reactions in children. Asthma is one of the risk factors for NSAID hypersensitivity (NSAID-H) in adult patients. There are limited number of studies evaluating NSAID-H among children with asthma. Our aim was to assess the frequency of confirmed NSAID-H and evaluate the classification of NSAID-H in children with asthma. Methods: Patients followed with a diagnosis of asthma in our Pediatric Allergy Clinic were evaluated for NSAID-H. Patients were questioned whether they had used NSAIDs, and if they experienced any reaction with these drugs. A control group was also questioned for reactions to NSAID use. Results: 976 children with asthma and 2,000 healthy children as a control group were included in this study. The mean age of the patients with asthma was 10.61 +/- 4.21 years and 59.5% were male. Ten (1%) had a reaction history to NSAIDs. NSAID-H was confirmed in 9 (0.9%) who were tested with the suspected drugs. Six of these were classified as "single NSAID-induced urticaria/angioedema or anaphylaxis" and 3 were classified as "NSAIDs-exacerbated respiratory disease." In the control group, only 1 subject had a reaction history to acetylsalicylic acid and no reaction developed in the provocation test. Conclusions: In our study, NSAID-H was found more frequent in children with asthma than in the control group. Children with asthma should be evaluated for reactions to NSAIDs during hospital visits. (C) 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel.