non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug exacerbated respiratory disease

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) exacerbated respiratory disease, previously known as Samter triad, Samter syndrome, Widal syndrome, aspirin-induced asthma, or analgesic-induced asthma, refers to the constellation of :

• hypersensitivity to aspirin (and other NSAIDs)
• nasal polyposis/rhinosinusitis
• asthma

Epidemiology

In adults, prevalence ranges between 8-20% among those exposed to an oral provocation test (OPT), and around 3-5% among patients who self-report that they have the triad.

Treatment and prognosis

Treatment is largely centered around avoiding aspirin, treating underlying asthma and if need be polypectomy (surgical or medical). Unfortunately recurrences are common .

Aspirin desensitization has also been tried with at least some short term improvement .

History and etymology

The name Samter triad or syndrome was named after the American allergy physician Max Samter (1908-1998) who was the first to comprehensively describe the clinical triad in 1968 .