Case-control study of endoscopic polypectomy in clinic (EPIC) versus endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis with polyps.

INTRODUCTION: Endoscopic Polypectomy In Clinic (EPIC) is a recently described deescalated form of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) performed in the outpatient clinic for patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with polyps (CRSwNP). The quality of life benefit of EPIC in comparison to ESS is not known. The purpose of this study was to determine if the disease specific quality of life measured with the SNOT-22 attained with EPIC is similar to that attained with ESS for patients with CRSwNP. METHODS: A multi-institutional observational case-control study was performed to evaluate quality of life improvement in patients treated with ESS and EPIC for CRSwNP with a 3 month follow-up. Predicted probability of undergoing EPIC was calculated by fitting a logistic regression model using clinically relevant variables. EPIC patients were matched to ESS patients in a 1:1 fashion. RESULTS: 24 pairs were analyzed after matching. There was no statistical difference in the post-treatment SNOT-22 scores or proportion of patients achieving a minimal clinically important difference. CONCLUSIONS: In appropriate CRSwNP patients, the EPIC procedure may provide disease specific quality of life improvement similar to that seen with patients who undergo traditional ESS.

Treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis refractory to other treatments with topical antibiotic therapy delivered by means of a large-particle nebulizer: results of a controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy of nebulized topical saline-tobramycin solution in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis refractory to medical and surgical therapy. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Twenty patients in whom endoscopic sinus surgery failed to relieve symptoms entered a randomized, double-blind trial of tobramycin-saline solution or saline-only solution administered thrice daily to the nasal passages by means of a large-particle nebulizer apparatus for 4 weeks, followed by a 4-week observation period. Outcome measures of symptoms, quality of life, and endoscopic aspect of sinus mucosa were assessed. RESULTS: Both treatments were well tolerated and produced equivalent improvement in symptoms, quality of life, and mucosal aspect. Treatment with the tobramycin-saline solution gave more rapid improvement of pain, but led to the development of nasal congestion. CONCLUSION: Therapy with a 4-week course of large-particle nebulized aerosol therapy improves symptomatology and objective parameters of rhinosinusitis in patients refractory to surgical and medical therapies. Addition of tobramycin appears of minimal benefit. The mechanism of this effect is unexplained. SIGNIFICANCE: Large-particle nebulized aerosol therapy may offer a safe and effective management alternative for patients with refractory rhinosinusitis.

Impact of rhinosinusitis in health care delivery: the Quebec experience.

OBJECTIVE: Rhinosinusitis is a common disease affecting 135 per 1,000 population. The cost and the impact on quality of life of this disease are considerable. Health care delivery for a particular disease is evaluated through the health impact of the disease, outcomes of treatments, and their costs. This article reviews our experience with rhinosinusitis and its impact on health, as measured using a generic quality of life instrument, the Medical Outcome Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), in a selected patient population. Outcomes of treatments will be introduced, and the economic impact of chronic rhinosinusitis based on a U.S. study will be discussed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and ten patients (divided into three subgroups: recurrent acute rhinosinusitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, and nasal polyposis) completed the SF-36 survey on the day of the diagnostic visit in the outpatient sinus clinics of two hospitals. RESULTS: The scores of the SF-36, in chronic rhinosinusitis, are compared with the normative values of a healthy U.S. population showing statistically significant differences in seven of eight domains. A comparison of the scores of chronic rhinosinusitis with a U.S. study on chronic rhinosinusitis shows statistically significant differences in five of eight domains. A comparison of the scores in the three diagnostic subgroups shows a statistical significance in two domains: bodily pain and vitality are more affected in recurrent acute and chronic rhinosinusitis. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic rhinosinusitis affects the quality of life of patients with rhinosinusitis and represents an important health burden. Some differences are noted with the U.S. chronic rhinosinusitis population. Recurrent acute and chronic rhinosinusitis seem to have more impact on vitality and bodily pain than nasal polyposis.