Recurrence Rates of Nasal Polyps after Endoscopic Sinus Surgery in regards to Underlying Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Nasal polyp is a disease of the mucous membranes in the nose and the paranasal sinuses that develops as a reaction to a variety of stimuli including allergens and various microbes. The etiology and formation of nasal polyp are still unclear and have been debated for many years. The objective of the present study is to investigate the correlation among allergic rhinitis, asthma and recurrent nasal polyps. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of patients with severe nasal polyps who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery. Patients who had a minimum Lund- MacKay score of 16 and a minimum of 12 months of follow-up were included in the analysis. Data collection included demographics, presence of asthma or documented allergic rhinitis, recurrence rates, and follow up. RESULTS: Three hundred and forty one records were reviewed. Two hundred and forty-three (71.3%) patients had no underlying asthma and allergic rhinitis. Seventy-nine (32.5%) patients among them developed recurrent nasal polyps. Seventy-two (21.1%) patients had documented allergic rhinitis without asthma. Twenty-one (29.2%) patients among them developed recurrent nasal polyps. Fifteen (4.4%) patients had both asthma and allergic rhinitis. Eight (53.3%) patients among them developed recurrent nasal polyps. Eleven (3.3%) patients had asthma without allergic rhinitis. Six (54.6%) patients among them developed recurrent nasal polyps. CONCLUSION: Knowing recurrence rates after endoscopic sinus surgery for nasal polyps in regards to underlying asthma and allergic rhinitis is clinically significant. In our study, the presence of asthma significantly correlated with higher recurrence (p<0.05). But, the presence of allergy was not statistically significant.