Comorbidities, hypersensitivity and biomarkers in a real-world US nasal polyps population

Abstract

Introduction: Previous research highlighted potential relationships between chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and certain comorbidities, hypersensitivity and more recently, elevated levels of a biomarker, eosinophil (EOS). Aims: To investigate a real-world population of moderate-severe CRSwNP patients for the presence of comorbidities, hypersensitivity and elevated biomarkers previously linked to CRSwNP. Methods: Physician-recorded patient data from a US cross-sectional survey (2018-2019) of moderate-severe CRSwNP patients conducted by Adelphi Real World were analysed. Physicians completed patient record forms with information on clinical characteristics and medical history. Comorbidities, aspirin/NSAID hypersensitivity, elevated biomarkers and family history of CRS/CRSwNP were recorded. Results: 337 physician-classified moderate-severe CRSwNP patients were included in the study (mean age 45.8 years; 57.3% male; mean BMI 26.7). The most common comorbidities were allergic rhinitis (65.3%), asthma (49.3%), hypertension (20.2%), elevated cholesterol/hyperlipidaemia (14.5%) and GERD (11.0%). 14.0% of patients had aspirin hypersensitivity and 7.1% of patients had an alternative NSAID hypersensitivity. A family history of CRS or CRSwNP was recorded for 15.1% and 12.5% of patients, respectively. 11.9% of patients had physician-confirmed elevated blood or sputum EOS levels. Conclusion: Our findings support the evidence for a relationship between CRSwNP and the presence of allergic rhinitis and asthma. Reported hypersensitivity and elevated EOS levels were low, however, this could reflect a lack of physician awareness of, or testing for, these specific patient characteristics.