Which patient population most commonly has hypersensitivity reactions to NSAIDs?

Which patient population most commonly has hypersensitivity reactions to NSAIDs?

• A. Elderly individuals
• B. Hypertensive patients
• C. Asthmatics
• D. Children

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that NSAID hypersensitivity most strongly affects people with asthma, especially when nasal polyps are present. In these individuals, taking NSAIDs inhibits COX enzymes, which lowers prostaglandin production. This shifts arachidonic acid metabolism toward the lipoxygenase pathway, boosting leukotriene levels. Leukotrienes cause bronchoconstriction, mucus production, and airway inflammation, triggering wheeze and other respiratory symptoms characteristic of aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease. This asthma-centric vulnerability explains why asthmatics are the patient population most prone to hypersensitivity reactions to NSAIDs.

The key idea is that NSAID hypersensitivity most strongly affects people with asthma, especially when nasal polyps are present. In these individuals, taking NSAIDs inhibits COX enzymes, which lowers prostaglandin production. This shifts arachidonic acid metabolism toward the lipoxygenase pathway, boosting leukotriene levels. Leukotrienes cause bronchoconstriction, mucus production, and airway inflammation, triggering wheeze and other respiratory symptoms characteristic of aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease. This asthma-centric vulnerability explains why asthmatics are the patient population most prone to hypersensitivity reactions to NSAIDs.