Aspirin Treatment After Desensitization (ATAD)
Aspirin-exacerbated/non-steroidal anti-inflammatory-exacerbated
respiratory disease (AERD/N-ERD) is a subset of CRSwNP characterised by
severe CRSwNP, asthma and hypersensitivity to aspirin and other
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Aspirin desensitization is a specialised procedure designed to induce
tolerance to aspirin and NSAIDs in AERD/N-ERD patients. It involves the
gradual administration of increasing doses of aspirin under controlled
conditions until the patient reaches a therapeutic dose. This process
allows N-ERD patients to take aspirin safely and reach the potential
anti-inflammatory benefits associated with its use(65, 66).
ATAD has been shown to significantly reduce the size of nasal polyps in
N-ERD patients (47, 67). The anti-inflammatory effects of aspirin
contribute to reduced polyp burden and improved nasal airflow (68). ATAD
has also been associated with a reduction in asthma exacerbations and
improved lung function in N-ERD patients with coexisting asthma (69.
Aspirin treatment may also improve the response of nasal polyps to
corticosteroid therapy, potentially reducing the need for systemic
corticosteroids {Van Broeck, 2023 #3)Aspirin treatment may also
improve the response of nasal polyps to corticosteroid therapy,
potentially reducing the need for systemic corticosteroids (67)
EUFOREA´s expert panel advises considering ATAD in patients with
bilateral CRSwNP with comorbid asthma and history of aspirin/NSAID
intolerance, especially when there is a need for aspirin-antiplatelet
therapy or NSAIDs to treat chronic inflammatory conditions. ATAD is a
therapy with a low direct cost and a significant effect on patient´s
QoL, total nasal symptom score, and asthma symptoms of the patient (1,
69).
ATAD offers the most benefit in patients with recent debulking sinus
surgery by preventing the recurrence of nasal polyps and reducing the
need for SCS and ESS (70) but is associated with a risk of
hypersensitivity reactions and/or gastrointestinal bleeding (1).
After successful aspirin desensitization, close monitoring of patients
is essential to ensure continued tolerability of aspirin and NSAIDs.
Patients should be regularly assessed for symptom improvement, polyp
recurrence and asthma control. Maintenance aspirin therapy is always
required to maintain the desensitized state and its’ anti-inflammatory
benefits.
ATAD is contra-indicated for patients with a severe hypersensitivity
reaction after aspirin ingestion, i.e., an asthma attack, poorly
controlled asthma (FEV1<70%), pregnancy, history of
eosinophilic oesophagitis, gastric and/or peptic ulcers or a history of
bleeding disorders or coagulopathy (67).