[Nasal polyps is not a homogenous pathology].

UNLABELLED: Nasal polyposis is still a disease of unknown etiology. Looking at its clinical course it seems to be not homogenous pathology. Inflammation of the mucosa, mainly eosinophilic is probably the most important factor, which leads to the development of nasal polyps.

THE AIM OF STUDY: To analyze and compare the history data and eosinophilic inflammation parameters in patients with nasal polyps.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: 67 patients with nasal polyposis were included into the study. They were divided into three groups: PP-primary nasal polyps (n = 33-49.2%); A-polyps and bronchial asthma without aspirin intolerance (n = 19-28.4%); ASA-polyps and aspirin-induced asthma (n = 15-22.4%). The history data were taken using patient's questionnaire. To assess the eosinophilic inflammation intensity the blood and nasal eosinophilia and serum eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) concentration were measured.

RESULTS: The average age of all patients was 55 +/- 1.5 (range 32-76), the age distribution was comparable in all groups. The ratio males:females--1.5:1 (PP--2.7:1; A--1.1:1; ASA--0.7:1. The females with nasal polyps much more often suffer from asthma than males (p = 0.036). The age when polyps were first seen was 45.1. The duration of nasal polyps was 10 +/- 10 years (range 0.5-30 years): PP-- 10 +/- 9; A-- 14 +/- 11; ASA-- 7 +/- 7 (A/ASA-- p = 0.045). Period of 6.6 years of rhinitis had preceded the diagnosis of nasal polyposis (PP--7.3; A--7.1; ASA--4.5). Age when asthma was developed (A+ASA groups)--45.5; the duration of asthma was 11 +/- 9 years. 58% of patients had polypectomy/ethmoidectomy (PP--45%; A--60%; ASA--80%). The number of operations per one patient: 1.3 (PP--1.0; A--1.2; ASA--2.0), the most often performed in ASA group (PP/ASA-- p = 0.01 and A/ASA-- p =0.045). The mean interval between polypectomies in all patients--9.1 years (PP--10; A--12, ASA--3.5). Blood eosinophilia: 5.6 +/- 0.4% (PP-- 4.6 +/- 0.5; A-- 6.2 +/- 0.9; ASA-- 7.2 +/- 0.9% and PP/ASA-- p = 0.019; PP/A+ASA-- p = 0.03). Nasal eosinophilia: 18.5 +/- 3% (PP-- 15.0 +/- 4; A-- 15.5 +/- 6; ASA-- 30.0 +/- 8% and PP/ASA-- p = 0.01; A/ASA-- p = 0.02). Serum ECP concentration: 24 +/- 2 microg/l.

CONCLUSIONS: The patient's history and the intensity of eosinophilic inflammation are not similar in all nasal polyposis patients, that support the classification into PP, A and ASA groups. The most severe clinical picture and the highest values of eosinophilic parameters are observed in ASA group. Aspirin intolerance seems to be unfavourable prognostic factor in nasal polyposis.