THE ATOPY TRAIT IN HYPERSENSITIVITY TO NONSTEROIDAL ANTIINFLAMMATORY DRUGS

The prevalence of atopy was evaluated in two groups of subjects with h ypersensitivity to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID): 1) 78 patients with aspirin-induced asthma (AIA) confirmed by oral or bronc hial provocation challenges 2) 42 subjects with hypersensitivity to py razolone drugs (case history and positive skin tests to noramidopyrine /aminophenazone) who tolerated aspirin well Fifty sex- and age-matched persons from an unselected general population, with no hypersensitivi ty to NSAID, formed the control group. Atopy was estimated from the re sults of the following clinical and biologic parameters: 1) personal a nd family history of atopic diseases 2) Skin prick tests with 16 aeroa llergens 3) serum levels of specific IgE to five aeroallergens 4) tota l serum IgE level. Different definitions of atopy were used, consistin g of constellations of two or three of the above-mentioned features, T he results of the study revealed that the prevalence of atopy varied a ccording to the criteria used for its definition. Irrespective of the definition used, a similar distribution of atopy was observed in both groups of patients with hypersensitivity to NSAID. Atopy was more freq uent in either group of patients with intolerance of NSAID than in the control group. Thus, atopy is related to adverse drug reactions to NS AID. (C) Munksgaard 1996.