Role of atopy in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps: does an atopic condition affect the severity and recurrence of disease?

BACKGROUND: The role of atopy in chronic rhinosinusitis is unclear: it is particularly controversial in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. METHODS: A prospective study of 210 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps was performed. Patient demographics, visual analogue scale scores, Lund-Kennedy endoscopy scores, Lund-Mackay computed tomography scores, serum total immunoglobulin E levels, serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels and Phadiatop test findings were analysed. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in age, sex, visual analogue scale score, Lund-Mackay computed tomography score, total serum immunoglobulin E level, serum ECP level or Phadiatop test results between patients with primary and recurrent chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. A total of 99 patients (47 per cent) had positive atopy tests. No significant differences in sex, visual analogue scale score, Lund-Kennedy endoscopy score, Lund-Mackay computed tomography score or recurrence rates were found between atopic and non-atopic patients; however, atopic patients were significantly younger than non-atopic patients. Atopy status did not correlate with disease severity. CONCLUSION: There was no association between atopy status and either disease severity or recurrence in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, although atopic patients were younger than non-atopic patients.