Workplace Indirect Cost Impacts of Nasal and Sinus Symptoms and Related Conditions

Associations of environmental and community features with radiologic sinus inflammation in Pennsylvania, USA

Background

Chronic rhinosinusitis is a disease of the nasal and sinus mucosa with direct and indirect costs for individuals and society, including the risk of transition to lower airway diseases. Using electronic health records from the Geisinger Health System in Pennsylvania, we evaluated associations of environmental and community features as surrogates for aeroallergens with radiologic sinus inflammation, an objective finding of chronic rhinosinusitis.

Methods

In a nested case-control study using electronic health records data, we included individuals aged 18-80 years from 2008 to 2018, with two encounters in the 4 years before their index date, and residence in a 38-county study region. We identified cases (n = 2,382) with radiologic sinus inflammation using a validated text algorithm applied to sinus computed tomography scan reports. Controls (n = 11,910) were frequency-matched on age, sex, and year of encounter. Exposures were assigned based on the residential address within latency and duration windows. We used logistic regression with robust standard errors clustered on community to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals while adjusting for confounding variables.

Results

Cases and controls had a mean (SD) age of 49.5 (15.3) years, were predominantly non-Hispanic White (96%), and had a mean (SD) contact time with the Geisinger Health System of 5.88 (3.29) years. We found independent associations of greater urbanization, higher greenness, higher cumulative growing degree days, and lower precipitation with increased odds of radiologic sinus inflammation. Residence in higher density urban areas (compared with rural) was strongly associated (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]) with radiologic sinus inflammation (1.70 [1.31, 2.21]).

Conclusions

Higher cumulative growing degree days, greater urbanization, lower precipitation, and higher greenness had robust associations with radiologic sinus inflammation. Findings reflect the complexity of environmental and community risk factors that directly and indirectly influence radiologic sinus inflammation, including both aeroallergens and air pollutants. Risk of this objective finding of chronic rhinosinusitis could increase with continued climate change-driven variation in weather and land use.

The effectiveness of pharmacist-led educational model in adult patients with allergic rhinitis: a single-center randomized control trial protocol (AR-PRISE RCT)

BACKGROUND

Allergic rhinitis is a chronic respiratory disorder that significantly impacts patients' quality of life (QoL) and work performance. Pharmacists are recognized as suitable professionals to provide patient education and pharmaceutical care for managing allergic rhinitis patients. However, local clinical practice guidelines, particularly regarding pharmaceutical care in public healthcare institutions, are lacking. This study protocol outlines a randomized controlled trial (RCT) designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a pharmacist-led educational model (AR-PRISE Model) in managing allergic rhinitis in adult patients compared to standard pharmaceutical care. The AR-PRISE model delivers patient educational material and a pharmaceutical care algorithm.

METHOD

This is a 6-month, single-center, prospective, randomized, two-arm, and parallel-group controlled trial. The trial recruits patients attending the otorhinolaryngology clinics of a tertiary referral hospital. Participants are randomized into control or intervention groups in a 1:1 ratio using permuted block randomization. The total number of participants estimated is 154, with each group requiring 77 participants. The control group receives standard pharmaceutical care, while the intervention group receives pharmacist-led education according to the AR-PRISE model. Both groups are assessed for middle turbinate endoscopy findings, disease severity, knowledge level, symptom control, medication adherence, and QoL at baseline and the end-of-study follow-up (day 180 ± 7). Depending on feasibility, intermediate follow-ups are conducted on days 60 ± 7 and 120 ± 7, either virtually or face-to-face. During intermediate follow-ups, participants are assessed for symptom control, medication adherence, and QoL. The intention-to-treat analysis includes all participants assigned to each group. An independent T-test compares the mean difference in knowledge level between the two groups. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA analysis is employed to determine between-group differences for scores of symptom control, adherence rate, and QoL. A P-value < 0.05 is considered statistically significant.

DISCUSSION

This study protocol will provide a framework for conducting a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the effectiveness of pharmacist-led education intervention in managing allergic rhinitis within public healthcare settings. The parameters measured in this trial will quantify outcomes associated with improvements in symptoms and QoL. By systematically assessing these outcomes, we aim to contribute valuable insights into the role of pharmacist-led interventions in enhancing the management of allergic rhinitis in public healthcare settings.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06027736 . Registered on 9 July 2023-retrospectively registered.

Cost-utility analysis of dupilumab compared with endoscopic sinus surgery in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. Evaluation in Colombia, a developing country

INTRODUCTION

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) compromise's respiratory function, sleep, concentration, work capacity and quality of life, generating high costs for patient and health systems. The aim of the study was to analyze the cost-utility of Dupilumab compared to endoscopic sinus surgery for patients with CRSwNP.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We developed a model-based cost-utility analysis from the perspective of the Colombian health system to compare Dupilumab vs endoscopic nasal surgery in patients with difficult-to-treat CRSwNP. Transition probabilities were extracted from the published literature about CRSwNP and costing was based on local tariffs. We performed probabilistic sensitivity analysis for outcomes, probabilities, and costs (10.000 Monte Carlo simulations).

RESULTS

The cost of dupilumab ($ 142.919) was 7.8 times higher than nasal endoscopic sinus surgery ($ 18.347). In terms of QALYs, surgery generates better results than Dupilumab: 11.78 vs. 9.05 QALYs.

CONCLUSIONS

From the perspective of the health system, endoscopic sinus surgery for the management of CRSwNP is a dominant alternative in all the analyzed scenarios compared to the use of Dupilumab. From a cost-utility point of view, the use of dupilumab should be considered when the patient requires multiple surgeries or when there is a contraindication for surgeries performance.

Allergic Rhinitis Therapy Decisions During a Routine Consultation: A Multicenter, Cross-Sectional Survey

Background

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is characterized by nasal and ocular symptoms, and substantially impacts the quality of life. Therapy selection for patients with AR depends on several factors, including symptom severity, age, patient preference, patient adherence, and cost.

Methods

The purpose of this multicenter, noninterventional, cross-sectional survey was to evaluate current therapy decisions in routine clinical practice for patients with symptomatic AR, and to determine how these decisions are linked to experiences with previous treatments and current symptom severity as assessed by aVAS. The survey included patients aged 18 years or older in Spain and 12 years or older in Hungary who consulted a physician for treatment of AR symptoms. Physicians recorded AR symptom burden in the previous 7 days, previous AR treatments, and the current AR therapy decision made at the visit.

Results

Overall, 72.9% of 181 patients (Spain) and 67.1% of 228 patients (Hungary) had received treatment in the previous 7 days. Among patients who had received step 3 treatment, 82.9% (Spain) and 75.8% (Hungary) received a free combination of intranasal corticosteroid (INCS) and antihistamines. Despite the high number of pretreated patients in both countries, 72.9% and 78.9% in Spain and Hungary, respectively, reported uncontrolled symptoms (VAS ≥50 mm). Of pretreated patients, 58.3% (Spain) and 61.4% (Hungary) received a step-up in treatment during the visit. Physicians more often prescribed a fixed combination of INCS and intranasal antihistamine than a free combination. However, of patients with uncontrolled symptoms who received previous therapy, 28.0% (Hungary) and 40.6% (Spain) did not receive a step-up as suggested by the guidelines.

Conclusion

Many patients suffering from acute AR symptoms consulted with their physician because of insufficient medications. Not all patients with uncontrolled symptoms received a step-up in treatment, underscoring the need for improved physician education to enhance AR management and control in accordance with consensus treatment guidelines.