Role of atopy in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps: does an atopic condition affect the severity and recurrence of disease?

Abstract

The role of atopy in chronic rhinosinusitis is unclear: it is particularly controversial in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. A prospective study of 210 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps was performed. Patient demographics, visual analogue scale scores, Lund-Kennedy endoscopy scores, Lund-Mackay computed tomography scores, serum total immunoglobulin E levels, serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels and Phadiatop test findings were analysed. There were no significant differences in age, sex, visual analogue scale score, Lund-Mackay computed tomography score, total serum immunoglobulin E level, serum ECP level or Phadiatop test results between patients with primary and recurrent chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. A total of 99 patients (47 per cent) had positive atopy tests. No significant differences in sex, visual analogue scale score, Lund-Kennedy endoscopy score, Lund-Mackay computed tomography score or recurrence rates were found between atopic and non-atopic patients; however, atopic patients were significantly younger than non-atopic patients. Atopy status did not correlate with disease severity. There was no association between atopy status and either disease severity or recurrence in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, although atopic patients were younger than non-atopic patients.