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).