Work productivity and activity impairment in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery-A prospective, multi-institutional study

Radiological score, asthma and NSAID-exacerbated respiratory disease predict relapsing chronic rhinosinusitis

OBJECTIVES

The aim was to evaluate the predictive potential of Sinonasal Radiological (SR) and the Lund-Mackay (LM) score of sinus computed tomography (CT) scans on postoperative relapses of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

CRS patients (n = 483, 12-80 years) underwent routine sinus CT scans. The SR score was defined by obstructed frontal recess (0 = no, 1 = yes) and visualization of middle and inferior turbinate (0 = anatomy can be easily visualized, 1 = anatomy cannot be easily visualized) on each side (a total of 0-6 points). Associations were analyzed by nonparametric, survival and Cox's proportional hazard models.

RESULTS

Revision endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) was performed in 133 (28.0%) patients on average (min-max) of 3.2 (0-12) years after performing the sinus CT scans. Of the 408 patients who underwent the baseline ESS, high preoperative SR or LM scores significantly predicted revision ESS (p < 0.001) and peroral corticosteroid courses purchased during the follow-up (p = 0.009 and p < 0.001, respectively for SR- and LM-scores). In multivariable analysis, both SR score and asthma and/or NSAID exacerbated respiratory disease (N-ERD) were significantly associated with revision ESS risk (p = 0.035, p = 0.007, respectively).

CONCLUSION

LM and SR and a history of asthma or N-ERD predict CRS relapses, which may help in decision-making.

Women suffering from chronic rhinosinusitis in Norway are more likely to take sick leave

BACKGROUND

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) decreases the quality of life and affects the working life of sufferers. There is a scarcity of studies of how CRS affects sick leave at the population level, particularly for women.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data from questionnaires were collected in Telemark, Norway in 2013 (N = 15,484) and again in 2018 (N = 13,966). Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for having sick leave in the last 12 months, adjusted for sex, asthma, smoking and age, were calculated, as well as the relationship to occupational groups. Comparisons were made between women and men.

RESULTS

Subjects with CRS had 64% increased odds for taking sick leave compared to subjects without CRS (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.45-1.85) in 2013, with similar results in 2018 (OR 1.60, 95% CI 1.41-1.81). Women with CRS were almost twice as likely to take sick leave than men with CRS (OR 1.96, 95% CI 1.56-2.46) in 2013. Sick leave was more common in subjects with CRS in some occupational groups.

CONCLUSION

CRS is a chronic and debilitating disease that appears to affect sick leave on a population level, with women being more affected than men. Optimised treatment for CRS might reduce sick leave and associated costs.

Visual and bibliometric analysis of chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps

Background

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a heterogeneous disease characterized by persistent sinonasal inflammation and sinus microbiome dysbiosis. Nasal polyps (NPs) are one of the main manifestations that cause diverse clinical symptoms of CRS.

Objective

We sought to conduct a bibliometric and visual analysis of articles on CRS and NPs published between 2003 and 2022 to provide researchers with the current state of research and potential directions.

Methods

We searched relevant articles from 2003 to 2022 in the Web of Science database. VOSviewer and the Bibliometrix R package were used to perform the bibliometric analysis.

Results

A total of 3907 publications were retrieved. The United States made the highest contributions to global research, followed by China. Northwestern University had the most publications. The most published author was C. Bachert, followed by R. P. Schleimer and R. J. Schlosser. The authors with the most co-citations were C. Bachert, W. J. Fokkens, and P. Gevaert. Moreover, the journal with the most publications was the International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology, and the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology was the most cited. "Covid-19," "biologics," and "type 2 inflammation" were the top current research hotspots.

Conclusions

The United States and Northwestern University were the leading country and institution in researching CRS and NPs. C. Bachert was the most influential expert. The International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology and the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology were leading journals. "Covid-19," "biologics," and "type 2 inflammation" were the trending topics.

Factors that predict pursuing sinus surgery in the era of highly effective modulator therapy

BACKGROUND

Comorbid chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) remains unresolved for many people with cystic fibrosis (PwCF). While highly effective modulator therapy improves quality-of-life and symptom severity, the impact of this intervention and other factors associated with pursuing endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) remains understudied.

METHODS

Adult PwCF + CRS were enrolled into a prospective, observational, multi-institutional study. Participants completed validated outcome measures to evaluate respiratory symptom severity, depression, headache, and sleep quality, as well as nasal endoscopy, sinus computed tomography (CT), and olfactory testing. Bivariate comparisons and regression modeling evaluated treatment cofactors, disease characteristics, and outcome measures associated with pursuing ESS.

RESULTS

Sixty PwCF were analyzed, including 24 (40%) who elected ESS. Pursuing ESS was associated with worse SinoNasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) total, rhinologic, psychological, and sleep dysfunction domain scores; worse Patient Health Questionnaire-9-Revised depression scores; worse Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index total scores; worse weight, role, emotion, and eating domain scores on the Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire-Revised; more severe disease on nasal endoscopy; and lack of modulator therapy (all p < 0.050). Multivariable regression identified that worse SNOT-22 total score was associated with electing ESS (odds ratio [OR] 1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.16, p = 0.015) and elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ETI) treatment (OR 0.04, 95% CI 0.004-0.34, p = 0.004) was associated with pursing medical therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Worse sinonasal symptom burden, lack of ETI treatment, sleep quality, depression, and nasal endoscopy scores were associated with electing ESS, while lung disease severity and sinus CT scores were not. ETI use was associated with lower odds of pursuing ESS independent of sinonasal symptom burden.

Effects of Metabolic Syndrome and its components on the postoperative recurrence in Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps' patients

OBJECTIVES

Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) has been established as a significant factor in the pathogenesis of numerous chronic inflammatory conditions. However, its role in Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP) is unknown. This study aims to investigate the association between MetS, its components, and the risk of postoperative recurrence in Chinese patients with CRSwNP.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted on CRSwNP patients who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery in our hospital. Patients were divided into MetS and non-MetS groups, and the clinical characteristics and recurrence rates were compared. All CRSwNP patients were followed up for more than 2-years and further categorized into non-recurrent and recurrent groups. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the effects of MetS and its components on the risk of postoperative recurrence.

RESULTS

A total of 555 CRSwNP patients were enrolled in the present study, 157 patients were included in the MetS group and 398 patients were categorized into the non-MetS group. The recurrence rate in the MetS group was significantly higher compared to the non-MetS group (p < 0.05). The rate of MetS, overweight or obesity, hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia were higher in the recurrent group in comparison with the non-recurrent group (p < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis suggested that MetS, overweight or obesity, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and accompanying allergic rhinitis were associated with the risk of postoperative recurrence of CRSwNP (p < 0.05). Moreover, adjusted and unadjusted regression models showed that MetS was an independent risk factor for postoperative recurrence of CRSwNP, and the risk increased with more components of MetS included (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our findings revealed that MetS independently increased the risk of postoperative recurrence in patients with CRSwNP, with the risk escalating as the number of MetS components increased. Moreover, accompanying allergic rhinitis was also demonstrated to be a potential risk factor for CRSwNP recurrence.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 4.

Economics of Medical and Surgical Management of Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps: A Contemporary Review

BACKGROUND

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) is a chronic inflammatory condition with significant patient morbidity and associated healthcare costs. While the economic burden of CRS overall has been previously described, the economic impact of CRSwNP has received less attention. Patients with CRSwNP have higher disease burden and healthcare resource utilization than those with CRS without nasal polyposis. Rapid evolution of medical management in recent years with the use of targeted biologics warrants further investigation into the economic burden of CRSwNP.

OBJECTIVE

Provide an updated review of the literature on the economic impact of CRSwNP.

METHODS

A literature review.

RESULTS

Research shows that patients with CRSwNP have higher direct costs and usage of ambulatory services compared to matched non-CRS controls. Patients undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) incur roughly $13,000 in costs which is particularly relevant given the rate of disease recidivism and need for revision surgery associated with CRSwNP. Disease burden additionally leads to indirect costs through loss of wages and productivity due to work absenteeism and presenteeism, with estimates of up to roughly $10,000 lost in mean annual productivity cost in refractory CRSwNP. Several studies have shown FESS to be more cost-effective in intermediate and long-term management than medical therapy with biologics, despite similar long-term outcomes with respect to quality-of-life metrics.

CONCLUSION

CRSwNP is a chronic condition with high recurrence rates making it a challenge to manage over time. Current research suggests that FESS is more cost-effective than medical management, including use of newer biologics. Further investigation into both direct and indirect costs associated with medical management is warranted to perform accurate cost-effectiveness analyses and allow for the best allocation of limited healthcare resources.