Comparison of 300 mg versus 600 mg daily maintenance doses of aspirin treatment after desensitization in N-ERD: A three-year multicentre experience

Abstract

Background: Aspirin treatment after desensitization (ATAD) is effective in preventing nasal polyps recurrence as well as respiratory symptoms in patients with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-exacerbated respiratory diseases (N-ERD). However, there is no consensus on effective daily maintenance doses in ATAD. Therefore, we aimed to compare the effects of two different maintenance doses of aspirin on clinical outcomes for 1-3 years of ATAD.

Methods: This was a retrospective, multicenter study that involved four tertiary centers. The maintenance doses of daily aspirin were 300 mg in one center and 600 mg in the remaining three. The data of patients who were on ATAD for 1-3 years were included. Study outcomes (nasal surgeries, sinusitis, asthma attacks, hospitalization, oral corticosteroid use, and medica-tion uses) were assessed in a standardized way and recorded from case files.

Results: The study initially included 125 subjects, 38 and 87 were receiving 300 and 600 mg daily aspirin for ATAD, respectively. Number of nasal polyp surgeries decreased after 1-3 years compared with before ATAD in both groups (group 1, baseline: 0.44 +/- 0.07 versus first year: 0.08 +/- 0.05; p < 0.001 and baseline: 0.44 +/- 0.07 versus 3rd year: 0.01 +/- 0.01; p < 0.001; and group 2, baseline 0.42 +/- 0.03 versus first year: 0.02 +/- 0.02; p < 0.001 and baseline: 0.42 +/- 0.03 versus 3rd year: 0.07 +/- 0.03; p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Given the comparable effects of 300 mg and 600 mg aspirin daily as maintenance treatment of ATAD on both asthma and sinonasal outcomes in N-ERD, our results suggest using 300 mg of aspirin daily in ATAD owing to its better safety profile.