[Aspirin. Pseudo-allergic reactions]

The author reviewed 2000 clinical records of his private allergy patients chosen at random. 197 records (9.7%) labeled "allergic to aspirin" were culled. 41 (2.1%) were acute cases and 153 (7.6%) had a history of "intolerance to aspirin". The main symptoms were angioedema or angioedema and urticaria in the majority of patients. No deaths were recorded. Each clinical record was surveyed and 61% of the acute cases and 72% of the patients with a history of intolerance to aspirin had a personal history of atopy. Family history of atopy was present in 63 and 73%, respectively. There was no history of atopy in 12% of the acute cases and in 7% of those with a history of intolerance to aspirin. 56 to 65% of these groups, respectively, had allergic rhinitis and 17 and 34%, had asthma. 23% of these patients showed allergic reactions simultaneously to Pyrazolones and between 12 and 22% showed allergy to Penicillin, and between 2 and 12%, to Acetominophene. The only food to which statistically significant allergy occurred was pancake, in 12%. 53% of the acute cases and 89% of those with a history of intolerance to aspirin showed a pseudoallergic reaction with products which contain aspirin or non steroidal antiinflamatory agents. 80% of the acute cases were treated with aqueous 1:1000 solution of epinephirine subcutaneously. 100% were given antihistaminics I.M. or orally and 61% were given steroids. Each patient was furnished with a list of the main aspirin containing products and non steroidal antiinflammatory agents, which cross react with aspirin.