The Penn AERD Center conducts extensive research on AERD, treatment options, and patient outcomes with the goal of continuously improving care and quality of life for our patients. A sampling of some of the center's recent research can be found below.
- Aspirin desensitization reduces alcohol-induced respiratory symptoms for AERD patients
In addition to sensitivity to aspirin and NSAIDs, the majority of patients with AERD have been reported to have respiratory intolerance associated with the consumption of alcohol. In a multicenter study led by Penn Medicine, the majority of patients with AERD who experience respiratory symptoms with alcohol consumption described improvement following aspirin desensitization.
- The role of Aspirin desensitization in the management of AERD
Aiming to assess the evidence for aspirin desensitization as the gold standard for medical treatment in AERD, this study demonstrated that the multidisciplinary approach practiced at the Penn AERD Center — with an AERD-experienced allergist and sinus surgeon working together — is the optimal way to care for patients with AERD.
- Outcomes after complete sinus surgery and Aspirin desensitization in AERD
Evaluating patient outcomes is critical for optimizing patient care, particularly for those requiring more complex treatment. For patient's undergoing complete (all eight sinuses) endoscopic sinus surgery followed by timely aspirin desensitization and long-term aspirin treatment, we evaluated 34 patients that were at least 30 months after aspirin to gauge its success in relieving symptoms and improving quality of life. This study found that this combination of treatments was highly successful both in terms of continued relief for sinus symptoms and an exceptionally low revision surgery rate (<10 percent).
- Multidisciplinary single-center outcomes compared to two-center outcomes for the treatment of aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease
This retrospective review of 157 AERD patients shows that multidisciplinary rhinology and allergy treatment by a single AERD center produces superior outcomes to treatment by two separate centers.
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Treatment outcomes in aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease based on the 12-item short form survey
As demonstrated by this study, most AERD patients who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery and aspirin desensitization followed by aspirin therapy saw improvements in quality of life. This includes physical improvements, including decreased pain, as well as increased social functioning.
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Effectiveness of endoscopic sinus surgery and aspirin therapy in the management of aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease
This study demonstrated that a combination of endoscopic sinus surgery and aspirin desensitization, followed by at least six months of aspirin therapy, was successful in the long-term management of AERD for most patients.
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Complete endoscopic sinus surgery followed by aspirin desensitization is associated with decreased overall corticosteroid use
The goal of this study was to determine the effect of complete endoscopic sinus surgery and aspirin desensitization on short-term and long-term corticosteroid use, since continued corticosteroid use can have potentially dangerous side effects. It was concluded that patients who underwent both endoscopic sinus surgery and aspirin desensitization were less likely to take prednisone daily than they were prior to treatment. Prednisone and inhaled corticosteroid doses were also reduced after these interventions.
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Age as a factor in treatment of aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease: relationship to required aspirin maintenance dose after desensitization
This retrospective study shows that adults ages 60 and older often require lower aspirin maintenance doses after desensitization than younger patients, suggesting less symptom severity with advanced age.
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Outcomes after complete endoscopic sinus surgery and aspirin desensitization in aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease
This study concluded that AERD patients who complete endoscopic sinus surgery followed by timely aspirin desensitization and aspirin therapy experience positive long-term outcomes, including a decrease in sinus disease.
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Aspirin desensitization for aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease in the era of biologics: clinical perspective
Studies show that over 91 percent of AERD patients who complete aspirin therapy for at least 30 months after a complete endoscopic sinus surgery and aspirin desensitization do not require revision surgery. Dr. Bosso provides a clinical perspective regarding the efficacy of the use of aspirin therapy after aspirin desensitization and reviews how this fits in to the current landscape of therapy which includes biologics.