Analysis of phase I study of chronic rhinosinusitis

Abstract

RATIONALE: Allergy clinic patients with clinical manifestations of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) were enrolled in a two-year outcomes study to assess the demographics, diagnostic analysis, and progression of their disease.METHODS: Forty-four patients with a clinical history of CRS were enrolled in the study over a six-month period. These patients were evaluated by comparing their serum IgE levels, total eosinophil count, presence of atopy, quantitative serum immunoglobulins (QIG), and sinus computed tomography (CT) scans.RESULTS: The mean age of our patients was 56, with a range of 35 to 83 years old. No significant deficiencies in serum immunoglobulins were noted in any of our patients. High serum IgE levels were associated with significant findings on CT scans. Of those patients with normal serum IgE levels, 68% had normal CT scan findings. Though all patients had a clinical diagnosis of (CRS), only 41% were confirmed by sinus CT scans. In addition, the presence of CRS was associated with an increased absolute eosinophil count, and nearly all patients with severe finding of CRS on CT scan were atopic. Of those patients who were not atopic, only 1 (11%) had severe CRS findings on CT scan. Despite the high degree of atopy, only 3 patients (7%) were receiving immunotherapy.CONCLUSIONS: Characterizing patients with CRS continues to be a challenging process. The variability of the spectrum of this disorder contributes to the difficulty in managing the disease. RATIONALE: Allergy clinic patients with clinical manifestations of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) were enrolled in a two-year outcomes study to assess the demographics, diagnostic analysis, and progression of their disease. METHODS: Forty-four patients with a clinical history of CRS were enrolled in the study over a six-month period. These patients were evaluated by comparing their serum IgE levels, total eosinophil count, presence of atopy, quantitative serum immunoglobulins (QIG), and sinus computed tomography (CT) scans. RESULTS: The mean age of our patients was 56, with a range of 35 to 83 years old. No significant deficiencies in serum immunoglobulins were noted in any of our patients. High serum IgE levels were associated with significant findings on CT scans. Of those patients with normal serum IgE levels, 68% had normal CT scan findings. Though all patients had a clinical diagnosis of (CRS), only 41% were confirmed by sinus CT scans. In addition, the presence of CRS was associated with an increased absolute eosinophil count, and nearly all patients with severe finding of CRS on CT scan were atopic. Of those patients who were not atopic, only 1 (11%) had severe CRS findings on CT scan. Despite the high degree of atopy, only 3 patients (7%) were receiving immunotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Characterizing patients with CRS continues to be a challenging process. The variability of the spectrum of this disorder contributes to the difficulty in managing the disease.