Evaluation of the improvement of quality of life with Azithromycin in the treatment of eosinophilic nasal polyposis / Avaliação da melhora da qualidade de vida com o uso de Azitromicina no tratamento da polipose nasossinusal eosinofílica

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: The Sino-Nasal Outcome Test 22 (SNOT-22) is an important tool in assessing the quality of life (QoL) of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with a validated version in Brazil. The eosinophilic nasal polyposis (ENP) represents most of the cases of nasal polyposis (85-90%) and belongs to the group of chronic rhinosinusitis. It is a chronic inflammatory disease that impacts the QoL of patients, not only causing localized symptoms, but also resulting in a general malaise. The standard treatments (corticosteroids and nasal endoscopic surgery) lead to partial control of symptoms, but relapses are frequent. Macrolide acting as an immunomodulator is a promising tool for more effective control of this disease. Studies are still lacking to assess the real impact on the QoL in patients treated with macrolides. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the improvement of QL, evaluated using SNOT-22, in patients with PNSE treated with immunomodulatory dose azithromycin. METHODS: This is a paired experimental study in patients with ENP. Comparison of pre-treatment and post-treatment with azithromycin was performed. Patients completed the SNOT-22 questionnaire before the start of treatment and returned for evaluation after eight weeks of treatment. Azithromycin was prescribed at a dose of 500 mg, orally, three times a week, for 8 weeks. RESULTS: SNOT-22 score decreased 20.3 points on average. There was a significant decrease in the SNOT-22 (difference greater than 14 points) in 19 patients (57.6%). There was no significant difference in improvement in SNOT in subgroups with or without asthma/aspirin intolerance. CONCLUSION: Azithromycin resulted in significant improvement of QoL, assessed by SNOT-22, in the studied population.

RESUMO INTRODUÇÃO: O Sino-Nasal Outcome Test 22 (SNOT-22) está entre os principais instrumentos na avaliação da qualidade de vida dos pacientes com rinossinusite crônica, com versão validada no Brasil. A polipose nasossinusal eosinofílica (PNSE) representa a maioria dos casos de polipose nasossinusal (85% a 90%) e pertence ao grande grupo das rinossinusites crônicas. É uma doença inflamatória crônica que impacta sobremaneira a qualidade de vida (QV) dos pacientes, não só pelos sintomas locais, mas também por resultarem em um quadro de mal-estar geral. Os tratamentos padronizados (corticosteroides e cirurgia endoscópica nasal) levam ao controle parcial dos sintomas e as recidivas são frequentes. Os macrolídeos usados como imunomoduladores são uma promissora ferramenta para um controle mais eficaz dessa doença. Ainda faltam estudos para avaliar o real impacto na QV dos pacientes tratados com macrolídeos. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a melhora da QV do paciente portador de PNSE tratado com azitromicina em dose imunomoduladora baseando-se questionário SNOT-22. MÉTODO: Trata-se de estudo experimental autopareado em pacientes com PNSE. Foi realizada a comparação dos pacientes pré-tratamento e pós-tratamento com azitromicina. Os pacientes preencheram o questionário SNOT-22 antes do início do tratamento e no retorno após as oito semanas de tratamento. Foi prescrita azitromicina na dose de 500 mg, VO, três vezes por semana, durante 8 semanas. RESULTADOS: O valor do índice SNOT-22 dos pacientes reduziu 20,3 pontos, em média. Houve diminuição significativa do SNOT-22 (diferença maior que 14 pontos) em 19 pacientes (57,6%). Não houve uma diferença significativa na melhora do SNOT nos subgrupos com ou sem asma/intolerância à aspirina. CONCLUSÃO: A azitromicina resultou em melhora significativa da QV, avaliada pelo questionário SNOT-22, na população estudada.

Evaluation of the improvement of quality of life with Azithromycin in the treatment of eosinophilic nasal polyposis.

INTRODUCTION: The Sino-Nasal Outcome Test 22 (SNOT-22) is an important tool in assessing the quality of life (QoL) of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with a validated version in Brazil. The eosinophilic nasal polyposis (ENP) represents most of the cases of nasal polyposis (85-90%) and belongs to the group of chronic rhinosinusitis. It is a chronic inflammatory disease that impacts the QoL of patients, not only causing localized symptoms, but also resulting in a general malaise. The standard treatments (corticosteroids and nasal endoscopic surgery) lead to partial control of symptoms, but relapses are frequent. Macrolide acting as an immunomodulator is a promising tool for more effective control of this disease. Studies are still lacking to assess the real impact on the QoL in patients treated with macrolides. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the improvement of QL, evaluated using SNOT-22, in patients with PNSE treated with immunomodulatory dose azithromycin. METHODS: This is a paired experimental study in patients with ENP. Comparison of pre-treatment and post-treatment with azithromycin was performed. Patients completed the SNOT-22 questionnaire before the start of treatment and returned for evaluation after eight weeks of treatment. Azithromycin was prescribed at a dose of 500 mg, orally, three times a week, for 8 weeks. RESULTS: SNOT-22 score decreased 20.3 points on average. There was a significant decrease in the SNOT-22 (difference greater than 14 points) in 19 patients (57.6%). There was no significant difference in improvement in SNOT in subgroups with or without asthma/aspirin intolerance. CONCLUSION: Azithromycin resulted in significant improvement of QoL, assessed by SNOT-22, in the studied population.