Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease Service

Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease (AERD) care

Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease (AERD) affects 9% of all adults with asthma and up to 40% of adults with asthma and nasal polyps. At the Mass General Brigham Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease Program, we provide advanced diagnosis and treatment for AERD and nasal polyps.

Our multidisciplinary team includes allergists, ENT surgeons, and research scientists who work together to help patients manage asthma and sinus disease through personalized care.

Part of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

Symptoms and signs of AERD

Patients with AERD often experience:

• Asthma that is difficult to control
• Nasal polyps that return after surgery
• Chronic nasal congestion or loss of smell
• Reactions to aspirin and NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen)
• Reactions after drinking alcohol

Our services

We offer comprehensive evaluation and treatment for AERD, nasal polyps, aspirin/NSAID allergies, and related allergic conditions. Our services include:

• Evaluation and diagnosis: Our specialists assess symptoms, medical history, and test results to diagnose AERD and related conditions.
• Aspirin desensitization: This specialized treatment helps patients safely tolerate aspirin and may reduce sinus symptoms and nasal polyps and improve asthma control. In many cases, desensitization can be completed in a single day using a streamlined protocol developed by our team. It may be performed in our outpatient clinic or, when needed, in an inpatient setting for additional monitoring.
• Biologic therapies: Our physicians use targeted biologic medications to treat the underlying inflammation associated with AERD and nasal polyps. Research from our program has helped identify which biologic therapies may be most effective for different patients, allowing us to tailor treatment and reduce the need for trial-and-error approaches.
• Adjunctive therapies: In addition to medical treatment, we may recommend supportive strategies such as dietary modifications and lifestyle approaches to help manage symptoms. Research from our program shows that adjusting omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid intake may help reduce inflammation and improve symptoms.
• Clinical trials: Eligible patients may have opportunities to participate in research studies investigating new treatments for AERD and nasal polyps.
• Specialty surgical referrals: When surgery for nasal polyps is appropriate, we coordinate care with otolaryngology specialists who have extensive experience treating patients with AERD and nasal polyps.