Ozge Yilmaz Topal1, Ilknur Kulhas Celik2, Irem Turgay Yagmur2, Muge Toyran2, Ersoy Civelek2, Betul Karaatmaca2, Can Naci Kocabas3, Emine Dibek Misirlioglu2. 1. Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address: ozgeyilmaztopal@gmail.com. 2. Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. 3. Faculty of Medicine, Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Department of Children's Health and Diseases, Mugla Sitki Kocman University, Mugla, Turkey.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used in children and can frequently cause hypersensitivity reactions. Rates of confirmed NSAID hypersensitivity (NSAID-H) in children are low. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the results of drug provocation tests (DPTs) with NSAIDs and to evaluate the difficulties encountered in the classification of NSAID-H in children. METHODS: The study included patients with suspected NSAID-H who were examined in our clinic between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2018. Oral provocation tests with NSAIDs were performed and reactions were classified according to the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology position paper on NSAID-H. RESULTS: A total of 243 patients (57.2% male patients) presented with suspected NSAID-H during the study period. Of these, 168 patients (69.1%) had a history of reaction to ibuprofen. Isolated skin involvement was the most frequent symptom (86%). A total of 238 DPTs were performed with the suspected agents and 34 had positive results. The families of 12 patients refused provocation testing with the suspected agent or aspirin and these patients could not be diagnosed. Of the 231 patients, 47 patients (20.3%) received a diagnosis of NSAID-H. Twenty patients with NSAID-H could not be classified because their guardians did not consent to further testing with aspirin. CONCLUSION: Performing diagnostic tests is important in patients with no contraindications. Characterizing these reactions in children can be difficult because of the coexistence of indistinguishable symptoms in their history and DPTs, as well as the need for multiple provocation tests. Therefore, further research is needed on this subject.
BACKGROUND: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used in children and can frequently cause hypersensitivity reactions. Rates of confirmed NSAID hypersensitivity (NSAID-H) in children are low. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the results of drug provocation tests (DPTs) with NSAIDs and to evaluate the difficulties encountered in the classification of NSAID-H in children. METHODS: The study included patients with suspected NSAID-H who were examined in our clinic between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2018. Oral provocation tests with NSAIDs were performed and reactions were classified according to the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology position paper on NSAID-H. RESULTS: A total of 243 patients (57.2% male patients) presented with suspected NSAID-H during the study period. Of these, 168 patients (69.1%) had a history of reaction to ibuprofen. Isolated skin involvement was the most frequent symptom (86%). A total of 238 DPTs were performed with the suspected agents and 34 had positive results. The families of 12 patients refused provocation testing with the suspected agent or aspirin and these patients could not be diagnosed. Of the 231 patients, 47 patients (20.3%) received a diagnosis of NSAID-H. Twenty patients with NSAID-H could not be classified because their guardians did not consent to further testing with aspirin. CONCLUSION: Performing diagnostic tests is important in patients with no contraindications. Characterizing these reactions in children can be difficult because of the coexistence of indistinguishable symptoms in their history and DPTs, as well as the need for multiple provocation tests. Therefore, further research is needed on this subject.