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Review Question - QID 109289

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QID 109289 (Type "109289" in App Search)
A 26-year-old male comes into your clinic complaining of worsening asthma symptoms. He reports that when he was first diagnosed with asthma, he experienced shortness of breath and chest tightness around twice a month. Then last month he began to get short of breath three times a week. He uses his albuterol inhaler during these episodes with temporary improvement of his symptoms. He denies nighttime awakenings due to his symptoms, but he does complain that his symptoms are interfering with his marathon training. His past medical history is significant for type I diabetes. His current medications include insulin and his albuterol inhaler. When asked about over-the-counter medications, he reports that he takes a multivitamin and aspirin, which he has been using for muscle soreness associated with his increased training schedule. A review of systems is also notable for headaches, nasal congestion, rhinorrhea and anosmia. The patient’s temperature is 99°F (37.2°C), blood pressure is 120/78 mmHg, pulse is 84/min, and respirations are 14/min with an oxygen saturation of 98% O2 on room air. On physical exam, you note bilateral expiratory wheezing and lesions within the nasal cavity, shown in Figure A.

Which of the following is the best initial treatment for this patient’s symptoms?
  • A

Aspirin desensitization

35%

28/80

Montelukast

38%

30/80

Omalizumab

9%

7/80

Salmeterol

16%

13/80

Theophylline

2%

2/80

  • A

Select Answer to see Preferred Response

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This patient is presenting with asthma, nasal polyposis, and aspirin exposure, suggestive of aspirin-induced asthma. The best initial treatment is montelukast, an anti-leukotriene.

Aspirin-induced asthma is triggered by hypersensitivity to NSAIDs, and it is characteristically accompanied by chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyposis (Figure A). There is dysregulation of arachidonic acid metabolism, causing overproduction of leukotrienes that are pro-inflammatory. In addition to the avoidance of NSAIDs, the stepwise approach for asthma management still applies to patients with aspirin-induced asthma. The exception is that leukotriene-modifying agents, such as montelukast or zileuton, are often used to address the underlying increase in leukotriene production.

Figure A shows a photograph of a nasal polyp in the right nasal cavity.

Incorrect Answers:
Answer 1: Aspirin desensitization is indicated in patients for whom nasal polyposis is worsening despite appropriate therapies or in patients who have conditions requiring NSAID therapy (e.g. inflammatory or vascular diseases). Aspirin desensitization would not be the first step in management for this patient.

Answer 3: Omalizumab is an anti-IgE therapy that is used when asthma is inadequately controlled on high-dose inhaled glucocorticoids and long-acting beta agonists. Indications for use include evidence of sensitivity to a perennial allergen such as dust mites, pet dander, or mold.

Answer 4: Salmeterol is a long acting beta-2 adrenergic agonist used in moderate or severe persistent asthma along with low-doses of an inhaled glucocorticoid. Moderate persistent asthma is characterized by daily symptoms of asthma or nocturnal awakenings more than once a week.

Answer 5: Theophylline can be added as part of the "step-up" management of moderate or severe persistent asthma. However, for this patient who has aspirin-induced asthma, a leukotriene-modifying agent would be a more appropriate initial therapy.

Bullet Summary:
Aspirin-induced asthma can be treated with leukotriene modifying agents due to the underlying overproduction of leukotrienes.

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