Analysis of comorbidities and objective parameters in refractory chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Batra Pete S. , Tong Liyue , Citardi Martin J. 
Published: October 2013

Objectives/Hypothesis

The objective of this study was to construct the clinical profile of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with/without polyposis undergoing revision sinus surgery and to evaluate the relationship of polyposis, asthma, acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) (ASA) sensitivity, inhalant allergies, and previous sinus surgery on disease severity as measured by objective parameters.

Study Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Methods

Two‐hundred twenty‐five patients were accrued at a tertiary care academic center. Categorical factors recorded included presence of polyps, asthma, inhalant allergy, and ASA sensitivity. Continuous variables assessed included mean number of previous sinus surgeries, Lund‐Kennedy endoscopy score, Lund‐Mackay computed tomography (CT) score, absolute eosinophil count (AEC), and total immunoglobulin E (tIgE) level. Statistical analysis was performed to analyze the impact of polyposis, asthma, inhalant allergy, and ASA sensitivity on objective parameters. The mean number of previous surgeries was also correlated with objective parameters.

Results

The mean age was 50.1 years with a male:female ratio of 1.1:1. The overall prevalence of polyposis, asthma, inhalant allergy, and ASA sensitivity was 56.4%, 48.4%, 38.7%, and 16.0%, respectively. The mean endoscopy and CT scores were 9.0 (±4.0) and 11.4 (±5.8), respectively. The mean AEC and tIgE were 0.4 k/μL (±0.4) and 161.4 IU/mL (±251.4). The mean number of previous endoscopic sinus surgeries was 1.8. Patients with CRS with polyposis had a statistically significant increase in presence of asthma (odds ratio [OR]: 7.5, P < .0001), inhalant allergy (OR: 3.6, P < .0001), and ASA sensitivity (OR: 78.6, P < .0001). Patients with polyposis had a statistically significant increase in endoscopy score (P < .0001), CT score (P < .0001), AEC (P < .0001), and tIgE (P = .0002). Patients with asthma had a statistically significant increase in endoscopy (P < .0001) and CT scores (P < .0001), AEC (P < .0001), and tIgE (P = .0002). Patients with inhalant allergy had a statistically significant increase in endoscopy (P = .0069), CT scores (P = .0017), and tIgE (P = .0084) but not AEC (P = .1492). Patients with ASA sensitivity had a statistically significant increase in endoscopy score (P < .0001), CT score (P < .0001), and AEC (P = .003) but not tIgE level (P = .186). The number of previous surgeries had a statistically significant correlation with endoscopy (P = .006) and CT scores (P = .03) but not AEC (P = .48) or tIgE (P = .66).

Conclusions

The current analysis constructed the clinical profile of the recalcitrant CRS patient undergoing revision sinus surgery. In general, this patient group has a high prevalence of polyposis, asthma, inhalant allergy, ASA sensitivity, and elevated disease burden as measured by objective measures. The polyp phenotype signifies statistically higher prevalence of associated comorbidities and greater objective disease severity. The presence of asthma, inhalant allergy, and ASA sensitivity also predicts statistically higher disease burden. The endoscopy and CT scores statistically correlate with the number of previous surgeries.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 123:E1–E11, 2013