title: Evaluation of the improvement of quality of life with Azithromycin in the treatment of eosinophilic nasal polyposis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Sino-Nasal Outcome Test 22 (SNOT-22) is an important tool in assessing the quality of life (QoL) of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with a validated version in Brazil. The eosinophilic nasal polyposis (ENP) represents most of the cases of nasal polyposis (85-90%) and belongs to the group of chronic rhinosinusitis. It is a chronic inflammatory disease that impacts the QoL of patients, not only causing localized symptoms, but also resulting in a general malaise. The standard treatments (corticosteroids and nasal endoscopic surgery) lead to partial control of symptoms, but relapses are frequent. Macrolide acting as an immunomodulator is a promising tool for more effective control of this disease. Studies are still lacking to assess the real impact on the QoL in patients treated with macrolides.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the improvement of QL, evaluated using SNOT-22, in patients with PNSE treated with immunomodulatory dose azithromycin.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a paired experimental study in patients with ENP. Comparison of pre-treatment and post-treatment with azithromycin was performed. Patients completed the SNOT-22 questionnaire before the start of treatment and returned for evaluation after eight weeks of treatment. Azithromycin was prescribed at a dose of 500 mg, orally, three times a week, for 8 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  SNOT-22 score decreased 20.3 points on average. There was a significant decrease in the SNOT-22 (difference greater than 14 points) in 19 patients (57.6%). There was no significant difference in improvement in SNOT in subgroups with or without asthma/aspirin intolerance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Azithromycin resulted in significant improvement of QoL, assessed by SNOT-22, in the studied population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Ophthalmology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. Electronic address: simasmed@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Isamara Simas de
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology and Phonoaudiology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Paulo Fernando Tormin Borges
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Crosara
authors.affiliation: Department of General Pathology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Geovanni Dantas
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Cassali
authors.affiliation: Medicine School, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Diego Carlos dos
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Reis
authors.affiliation: Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Camilo Brandão de
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Resende
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology and Phonoaudiology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Flavio Barbosa
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Nunes
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology and Phonoaudiology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Roberto Eustáquio Santos
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Guimarães
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017963:Azithromycin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D017963:Azithromycin
keywords: Azithromycin; Azitromicina; Eosinophilic nasal polyposis; Polipose nasal eosinofílica; SNOT-22