Hypersensitivity reactions to arylpropionic acid derivatives: different
drugs inducing different response patterns
Abstract
Background: Although ibuprofen and other arylpropionic acid derivatives
(APs) are among the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) most
consumed worldwide at all age ranges, little is known about
hypersensitivity to this group of drugs. Our aim was to characterise in
detail patients reporting hypersensitivity reactions induced by APs.
Methods: We prospectively evaluated patients with symptoms suggestive of
hypersensitivity to APs and analysed their clinical characteristics, the
reported reactions, and the diagnosis approach. Results: A total of 662
patients confirmed as hypersensitive to APs were included: 489 as
cross-reactive (CR) hypersensitivity type (73.86%) and 173 as selective
responders (26.13%) (SR). The percentage of subjects reporting
reactions induced by ibuprofen and dexketoprofen was higher in CRs
(p=0.005 and p=0.01, respectively), whereas reactions induced by
naproxen and ketoprofen were more frequent in SRs (p=0.0002 and
p=0.00001, respectively). The most frequent symptoms induced by
ibuprofen, dexketoprofen, and naproxen were isolated angioedema and
urticaria combined or not with angioedema in both NIUA and SNIUAA.
NPT-LASA was positive in 156 cases (77.14% of NERD and 68.18% of
blended) and DPT to ASA was needed in 246 (50.3%) CR patients. In 28 SR
cases (25 SNIUAA and 3 SNIDR), DPT with the culprit AP was required.
Conclusions: Skin is the most common organ involved in hypersensitivity
to APs, in both CR and SR, with ibuprofen and dexketoprofen inducing
most frequently CRs, and naproxen and ketoprofen SRs. More studies are
needed to clarify the underlying mechanism in DHR induced by APs.