title: Clinical Management and Use of Health Care Resources in the Treatment of Nasal Polyposis in Spanish Allergy Centers: The POLAR Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nasal polyposis (NP) is a chronic inflammatory disease that constitutes a major health problem with significant comorbidities and a considerable associated socioeconomic burden.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe the clinical features and management of patients with NP attending Spanish allergy centers, the use of health care resources, and the degree of compliance with the diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations of the European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps (EPOS).
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a multicenter, observational, and cross-sectional epidemiologic study of 671 patients consulting for NP in 67 Spanish allergy departments. We used sociodemographic and clinical questionnaires to evaluate clinical characteristics, use of health care resources, diagnostic methods, and treatment administered.
  
  
  RESULTS
  NP was closely associated with asthma (66%), allergic rhinitis (45.9%), and hypersensitivity to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (26%). Atopy was present in the 50% of cases, with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus as the most frequent sensitizing allergen. Eleven percent of NP patients visited the emergency department during the previous year, and more than 58% used primary care, allergy, or otorhinolaryngology services. The most frequently used diagnostic tests were skin prick tests (93.6%) and anterior rhinoscopy (79.4%). Intranasal corticosteroids were the drug class most frequently prescribed by allergists (74.6%). Specific immunotherapy was prescribed in 21% of patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NP is a chronic inflammatory disease that generates considerable use of health care resources. The close association with atopy, asthma, and NSAID hypersensitivity highlights the usefulness of an allergy workup in all patients with NP. Analysis of the clinical management of NP by allergists in Spain revealed a high degree of compliance with EPOS diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Rondón
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Dávila
authors: A M
authors: AM
authors: Navarro Pulido
authors: M C
authors: MC
authors: Sánchez
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Montoro
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Matheu
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Lluch-Bernal
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Fernández-Parra
authors: M D
authors: MD
authors: Ibáñez
authors: M T
authors: MT
authors: Dordal
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Colás
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Antón
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Valero
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006295:Health Resources; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000628:therapy*