ASPIRIN ALLERGY

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 46  (3) , 123-126
Abstract
A 17-yr prospective study of the clinical characteristics of patients with a history of allergic reactions to aspirin is presented. The most common manifestation is urticaria/angioedema; the 2nd most common, asthma. Women of child-bearing age are especially prone to develop aspirin sensitivity; otherwise the age of onset is approximately equal in the 2 sexes, varying from 1-60 yr. Although an immunologic basis of aspirin sensitivity has not been demonstrated, 90% of its victims are also sensitive to inhalants (76%), foods (74%) or drugs (43%). There was no apparent cross-reactivity between aspirin and tartrazine. The view that asthmatic patients who are sensitive to aspirin have a strong tendency to develop nasal polyps was not confirmed. The prognosis of asthma in patients sensitive to aspirin does not differ from that of patients who are not. Every aspirin-sensitive patient should be given a complete allergic work-up.

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