There is need for an in vitro diagnostic test for hypersensitivity to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability of one such diagnostic, the basophil activation test. Forty-three drug hypersensitive patients referring several immediate reactions (anaphylaxis, urticaria, angioedema, asthma, and rhinoconjunctivitis) to one or more NSAIDs and 29 controls participated. Using the Basotest commercial kit, 63 determinations were performed with the drugs implicated in the adverse reactions (ASA, ibuprofen, metamizol, diclofenac, paracetamol, and ketorolac). In 16 patients additional determinations were made with other chemically unrelated NSAIDs. Forty-two determinations were made for controls. The analysis was performed by flow colorimetric cytometry and double staining with the monoclonal antibodies anti-IgE and anti-CD63. A Basophil Activation Index (percentage of activated basophils after allergen stimulation/percentage of basally activated basophils) of two or more was considered a positive result. Specificity of 100% and sensitivity of 42.85% were achieved. The positive predictive value was 100%, and the negative predictive value was 53.84%. In 35.29% of intolerant patients there was a positive reaction to at least two drugs implicated in adverse reactions, and in 27.27% of these patients there was a positive reaction to other chemically unrelated NSAIDs. The basophil activation test is useful for the in vitro diagnosis of NSAID hypersensitivity, providing good specificity and positive predictive value and diagnostic reliability in the assessment of NSAID intolerance.

BackgroundFive-grass pollen tablet is an effective and well-tolerated therapy for patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC). This trial sought to determine the satisfaction and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients undergoing this treatment.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional, multicentre, observational, naturalistic study, following a discontinuous pre- and co-seasonal five-grass pollen regimen over two seasons in Spain (2012, 2013). The HRQoL of the patients was measured with the specific Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) for adults, adolescent (AdolRQLQ), or paediatric (PRQLQ) patients. Treatment satisfaction was assessed by the Satisfaction Scale for Patients Receiving Allergen Immunotherapy (ESPIA) questionnaire. Patients/investigators were surveyed on beliefs and attitudes towards the five-grass pollen tablet. ARC evolution according to allergic rhinitis and its impact on asthma (ARIA) criteria and treatment adherence were evaluated.ResultsAmong the 591 ARC patients included, the mean (SD) HRQoL scores were 1.40 (1.1) in adults, 1.33 (1.1) in adolescents, and 1.15 (1.1) in children, indicating low levels of impairment (scale 0–6). ESPIA answers showed high levels of satisfaction, with an average score of 69.2 (scale 0–100). According to ARIA criteria, 88.2% of patients reported improvement of ARC. Moreover, this was accompanied by a reduced use of symptomatic medication. Adherence to treatment was estimated at 96.8%. In general, both patients and specialists exhibited a positive attitude towards five-grass pollen tablet treatment.ConclusionARC patients treated with five-grass pollen tablet showed favourable levels of HRQoL and treatment satisfaction, with concomitant improvements in ARC and symptomatic medication use, which translated into high levels of treatment adherence and a positive attitude towards five-grass pollen tablet.

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