Nasal polyposis and allergic rhinitis--our experience

Abstract

Nasal polyposis is a multifactor disease characterised by chronic eosinophilic inflammation of the nasal and sinal mucosae. Its aetiology is unknown, but it's often associated with other diseases: allergic rhinitis, asthma, and aspirin sensitivity in adult patients. In children, mucoviscidosis is possible. The aim of this paper is to determine the relationship between nasal polyposis and allergic rhinitis, and their link with idiopathic rhinitis. The study involved 100 patients of both sexes. Patients were divided into three groups: group I--with allergic rhinitis (65 patients), group II--with idiopathic rhinitis (25 patients), and group III--without any diseases of the upper airways (10 patients). All patients underwent ENT examinations, blood laboratory and microbiology tests, RTG tests, as well as skin prick tests on inhalant allergens. In the group with allergic rhinitis, 21 patients had nasal polyposis. In the group with idiopathic rhinitis, 7 patients had nasal polyposis. In the control group, all the patients exhibited normal endonasal findings. Statistically significant difference was present only between the group of patients with allergic rhinitis and the control group (p=0.034). Nasal polyposis is related to allergic rhinitis, although the reason why polyposis develops in some patients and not in others remains unknown.