title: Aeroallergen sensitization influences quality of life and comorbidities in patients with nasal polyposis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nasal polyposis (NP) is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology that impairs quality of life (QoL). The role of atopy in NP is not established. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics and QoL in a broad sample of patients  with NP and to evaluate the influence of allergy on this disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  A multicenter, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted in 67 allergy units in Spain. NP and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) hypersensitivity were diagnosed following EP(3)OS  guidelines. Rhinitis and asthma were classified following Allergic Rhinitis and Its Impact on Asthma and the Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines, respectively. Skin tests with a battery of aeroallergens were performed on all patients. A visual analog scale (VAS) and Short-Form 12 (SF-12)  and 31-item Rhinosinusitis Outcome Measure (RSOM 31) questionnaires were completed by all the patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 671 patients included, 611 were evaluable. Mean age was 46 years and 50% of patients were men. Also, 50% were atopic. Asthma was present in 66% of patients  and NSAID hypersensitivity was present in 26%. The most frequent symptoms were nasal congestion and rhinorrhea. Mean value of VAS was 58.6. Global health and bodily pain were the items most frequently identified in the SF-12 questionnaire and nasal and ocular symptoms in the RSOM-31 questionnaire.  There was a good correlation between VAS score and QoL (p < 0.0001). Rhinitis was more severe in nonallergic patients. Asthma was more frequent in atopic patients, whereas ASA triad was more frequent in nonatopic patients. Atopic patients showed higher VAS scores and worse QoL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Atopic NP patients showed worse QoL, higher incidence of asthma and a less severe form of rhinitis than non-atopic patients.
authors.affiliation: Allergy Service, University Hospital of Salemanca, Spain. idg@usal.es
authors.forename: Ignacio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Dávila
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rondón
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Navarro
authors.forename: Encarnación
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Antón
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Colás
authors.forename: María Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Dordal
authors.forename: María Dolores
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Ibáñez
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fernández-Parra
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lluch-Bernal
authors.forename: Víctor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Matheu
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Montoro
authors.forename: María Cesárea
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Sánchez
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Valero
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000397:Air Pollution; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*; D055963:Asthma, Aspirin-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens