Comparative clinical and airway inflammatory features of asthmatics with or without polyps

• Published in: Rhinology Vol. 48; no. 4; p. 420
• Main Authors: Bilodeau, Lara, Boulay, Marie-Eve, Prince, Philippe, Boisvert, Pierre, Boulet, Louis-Philippe
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands 01.12.2010
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Airway Obstruction - drug therapy; Airway Obstruction - etiology; Airway Obstruction - metabolism; Airway Obstruction - pathology; Airway Obstruction - physiopathology; Anti-Asthmatic Agents - therapeutic use; Asthma - complications; Asthma - diagnosis; Asthma - drug therapy; Asthma - metabolism; Asthma - physiopathology; Disease Progression; Drug Resistance; Eosinophil Cationic Protein - metabolism; Eosinophils - metabolism; Female; Fibronectins - metabolism; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nasal Polyps - complications; Nasal Polyps - diagnosis; Nasal Polyps - metabolism; Nasal Polyps - physiopathology; Respiratory Mucosa - drug effects; Respiratory Mucosa - pathology; Respiratory Mucosa - secretion; Severity of Illness Index; Skin Tests; Spirometry; Sputum - drug effects; Sputum - secretion
• ISSN: 0300-0729
• DOI: 10.4193/Rhino09.095

Nasal polyposis (NP) is associated with a more severe and steroid-resistant asthma. To compare clinical and airway inflammatory features of asthmatics with or without NP. Two groups of asthmatic patients were studied: group 1; n=39, with NP; group 2; n=40, without NP. Asthma control was assessed according to the Asthma Control Scoring System (ACSS). Expiratory flows, induced sputum, and blood eosinophils were also measured. ACSS score was lower (poorer control) in group 1 (meanA+-SEM = 73A+-3%) compared with group 2 (82A+-2%, p=0.01). FEV1 (mean of predicted value A+- SEM) was 81A+-3 for group 1 and 96A+-3 for group 2 (p=0.001), and the FEV1/FVC ratio was lower in group 1 (70A+-2%) compared with group 2 (76A+-1%, p=0.01). Blood and induced sputum eosinophils, as well as fibronectin and eosinophil cationic protein levels, were higher in group 1. Asthmatic subjects with NP have increased airway obstruction, increased inflammatory cells and reduced asthma control compared to those without NP. This may suggest a contribution of nasal polyps to the severity of asthma or a common susceptibility to develop upper and lower airways mucosal inflammation.