Patient characterization and predictors of aspirin desensitization response

Hypersensitivity to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may limit the use of aspirin in patients with cardiovascular diseases. Aspirin desensitization, which is a resource-intensive process, can offer such patients access to aspirin through the induction of temporary tolerance to aspirin. However, there is limited information on aspirin desensitization response in patients undergoing aspirin desensitization for cardiac indications in Asia.

To characterize patients who have undergone aspirin desensitization, evaluate their responses to the procedure, and identify risk factor(s) associated with failure of aspirin desensitization.

We conducted a retrospective review of medical records of patients who underwent aspirin desensitization in Singapore General Hospital between 1 June 2014 and 31 October 2017. Chi-square or Fisher exact test were used to analyze categorical data while independent samples t test or Wilcoxon rank-sum test were used for continuous data where appropriate. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify predictors of aspirin desensitization failure.

All 214 patients in our study had cardiovascular indications for aspirin, with angioedema being the most common type of index reaction experienced with NSAIDs (n = 104, 48.6%). One hundred sixty-five patients (77.1%) achieved successful aspirin desensitization. In the selected sample analysis of patients with true NSAID hypersensitivity (n = 163), an index reaction of angioedema to NSAIDs was found to be significantly associated with a higher risk of failing aspirin desensitization (odds ratio, 7.21; 95% confidence interval, 1.94-26.71).

Majority of the patients who underwent aspirin desensitization in our institution were able to achieve tolerance to aspirin. An index reaction of angioedema to NSAIDs was identified as a risk factor for aspirin desensitization failure. This information can aid in the risk stratification of patients undergoing aspirin desensitization and ensure efficient resource allocation for this procedure.