Influence of allergy on the symptoms and treatment of nasal polyposis.
CONCLUSIONS
Allergy does not modify the symptoms of nasal polyposis, either initially or after a 1-year medical treatment.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the role of allergy in the symptoms and treatment of patients presenting with the diagnosis of nasal polyposis.


METHODS
Two simultaneous studies were carried out. In the first study, 180 consecutive patients with nasal polyposis (60% males, mean age = 48.4 years) were analyzed to detect whether the severity of their symptoms correlated with the presence of positive allergic tests. In the second study, 74 consecutive patients (57.5% males, mean age = 48.3 years) were analyzed to detect whether the results of a 1-year medical treatment of nasal polyposis were influenced by the presence of positive allergic tests (Phadiatop). Five nasal criteria were scored: nasal obstruction, anterior and posterior rhinorrhea, facial pain, and the loss of sense of smell. The frequency of asthma was evaluated. Treatment of nasal polyposis consisted of washing of the nasal cavities, steroid spray, and oral steroid administration. The amount of steroid consumption (prednisolone and beclomethasone) was studied.


RESULTS
In the first study, mean scores of nasal symptoms did not differ between the two groups of patients with and without allergy. The prevalence of asthma (p = 0.03) was higher in the group with than without allergy. In the second study, decrease of all nasal symptoms was not statistically different in the two groups. Cumulative consumption of prednisolone and beclomethasone between baseline and year 1 were similar in the two groups.
Bonfils
Pierre
P
Department of ENT-Head and Neck Surgery, European Hospital Georges Pompidou, Faculty of Medicine, University Paris-Descartes, Paris, France. pierre.bonfils@egp.aphp.fr
Avan
Paul
P
Malinvaud
David
D
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001507:Beclomethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D016210:Methacholine Chloride; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000857:Olfaction Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D016210:Methacholine Chloride; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D011239:Prednisolone; D001507:Beclomethasone; D001241:Aspirin