Question

Which of the following statements is incorrect regarding Samter’s triad?

• A. It is only triggered by aspirin
• B. Other NSAIDs with COX-1 blocking ability can also trigger symptoms.
• C. It is characterized by asthma, nasal polyps, and aspirin sensitivity.
• D. It involves overproduction of leukotrienes.

Hint:

In Samter’s triad, COX-1 inhibitors like aspirin and NSAIDs can worsen symptoms. The overproduction of leukotrienes is a key feature of this disease.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Note the question asks for the FALSE statement.
This is a negative-stem item about Samter's triad (aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease, AERD). We must find the one statement that does NOT hold true.

Step 2: Recall the pathophysiology in one line.
AERD is driven by aberrant arachidonic-acid handling: inhibiting cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) shunts arachidonate down the 5-lipoxygenase pathway, causing OVERPRODUCTION OF LEUKOTRIENES that provoke bronchospasm and nasal inflammation. The clinical triad is asthma + nasal polyps + sensitivity to aspirin/NSAIDs.

Step 3: Score each statement true or false.
• "Other NSAIDs with COX-1 blocking ability can also trigger symptoms" - TRUE; any COX-1 inhibitor (ibuprofen, naproxen, etc.) can set it off because the mechanism is COX-1 inhibition, not the aspirin molecule specifically.
• "Characterized by asthma, nasal polyps, and aspirin sensitivity" - TRUE; that is the defining triad.
• "Involves overproduction of leukotrienes" - TRUE; this is the core mechanism from Step 2.
• "It is only triggered by aspirin" - FALSE; this contradicts the COX-1 mechanism, since the whole class of COX-1-inhibiting NSAIDs can trigger reactions, not aspirin alone.

Step 4: Select the incorrect statement.
The single statement that is wrong is the one restricting the trigger to aspirin only.

Final answer: The incorrect statement is "It is only triggered by aspirin" (Option 1).