Aspirin intolerance--a review.

1. Association of bronchial asthma, nasal pathology and intolerance to aspirin is a unique syndrome. Aspirin-induced prolongation of bleeding time, and a tendency for diabetes, may exist with it. 2. The syndrome occurs most often in the middle-aged female. 3. Progression of asthma and nasal polyposis is not prevented by avoidance of aspirin. 4. Salicylates other than aspirin are well tolerated but cross-reactivity with other analgesics, and with tartrazine, may occur. 5. The underlying mechanism is unknown. An immunologic basic is most unlikely.