Cultivating Self-Compassion to Protect Nurses From Burnout and Secondary Traumatic Stress.

Nursing burnout, a result of prolonged occupational stress, has always been a challenge in health care, but recently the COVID-19 pandemic made this issue into a national priority. In fact, burnout among health care workers is one of the four priorities of the U.S. Surgeon General. Health care leaders and organizations are eager to implement strategies to improve nurses' well-being and, thus, enhance their mental health. Much of the literature has focused on the antecedents and consequences of nursing burnout, but there is limited information on strategies that protect perinatal nurses from burnout. Self-compassion is emerging as one strategy that has a positive correlation with nurse well-being and a negative association with burnout, depression, and anxiety. In this article, we identify and translate strategies to promote self-compassion in perinatal nurses.

A Novel Evaluation Model for Assessing ChatGPT on Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Certification Examinations: Performance Study.

BACKGROUND: ChatGPT is among the most popular large language models (LLMs), exhibiting proficiency in various standardized tests, including multiple-choice medical board examinations. However, its performance on otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (OHNS) certification examinations and open-ended medical board certification examinations has not been reported. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the performance of ChatGPT on OHNS board examinations and propose a novel method to assess an AI model's performance on open-ended medical board examination questions. METHODS: Twenty-one open-ended questions were adopted from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada's sample examination to query ChatGPT on April 11, 2023, with and without prompts. A new model, named Concordance, Validity, Safety, Competency (CVSC), was developed to evaluate its performance. RESULTS: In an open-ended question assessment, ChatGPT achieved a passing mark (an average of 75% across 3 trials) in the attempts and demonstrated higher accuracy with prompts. The model demonstrated high concordance (92.06%) and satisfactory validity. While demonstrating considerable consistency in regenerating answers, it often provided only partially correct responses. Notably, concerning features such as hallucinations and self-conflicting answers were observed. CONCLUSIONS: ChatGPT achieved a passing score in the sample examination and demonstrated the potential to pass the OHNS certification examination of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Some concerns remain due to its hallucinations, which could pose risks to patient safety. Further adjustments are necessary to yield safer and more accurate answers for clinical implementation.

Combined Immunotherapy Improves Outcome for Replication-Repair-Deficient (RRD) High-Grade Glioma Failing Anti-PD-1 Monotherapy: A Report from the International RRD Consortium.

Immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) is effective for replication-repair-deficient, high-grade gliomas (RRD-HGG). The clinical/biological impact of immune-directed approaches after failing ICI monotherapy is unknown. We performed an international study on 75 patients treated with anti-PD-1; 20 are progression free (median follow-up, 3.7 years). After second progression/recurrence (n = 55), continuing ICI-based salvage prolonged survival to 11.6 months (n = 38; P < 0.001), particularly for those with extreme mutation burden (P = 0.03). Delayed, sustained responses were observed, associated with changes in mutational spectra and the immune microenvironment. Response to reirradiation was explained by an absence of deleterious postradiation indel signatures (ID8). CTLA4 expression increased over time, and subsequent CTLA4 inhibition resulted in response/stable disease in 75%. RAS-MAPK-pathway inhibition led to the reinvigoration of peripheral immune and radiologic responses. Local (flare) and systemic immune adverse events were frequent (biallelic mismatch-repair deficiency > Lynch syndrome). We provide a mechanistic rationale for the sustained benefit in RRD-HGG from immune-directed/synergistic salvage therapies. Future approaches need to be tailored to patient and tumor biology. SIGNIFICANCE: Hypermutant RRD-HGG are susceptible to checkpoint inhibitors beyond initial progression, leading to improved survival when reirradiation and synergistic immune/targeted agents are added. This is driven by their unique biological and immune properties, which evolve over time. Future research should focus on combinatorial regimens that increase patient survival while limiting immune toxicity. This article is featured in Selected Articles from This Issue, p. 201.

Resilience and Ethics in Nursing Education and Practice: Needs and Opportunities.

BACKGROUND: Nursing faculty and clinicians are leaving the profession due to increased workload and burnout. Evidence-based interventions to build skills in resilience and well-being are encouraged; however, strategies to implement them in nursing curricula and nurse residency programs (NRPs) are not well known. PURPOSE: To understand the current state of resilience, well-being, and ethics content in the curriculum in schools of nursing and NRPs in the state of Maryland as part of a statewide initiative for Renewal, Resilience and Retention of Maryland Nurses (R3). METHODS: A descriptive survey was distributed to leaders of all Maryland nursing schools and NRP directors. RESULTS: Respondents (n = 67) reported minimal resilience, well-being, and ethics content. Teaching modalities included lecture, journaling, mindfulness, and the code of ethics. Barriers included lack of faculty knowledge, low priority, time constraints, and limited resources. CONCLUSION: Resilience, well-being, and ethics content is limited in nursing curricula. Developing educator skills and best practices to foster resilience and ethical practice are needed.

The effects of educational interventions and the COVID-19 pandemic on the time to diagnosis in pediatric patients with primary central nervous system tumors.

Background: Primary central nervous system tumors are a leading cause of death and disability amongst pediatric cancer patients. Akron Children's Hospital published data in 2018 on response time for brain tumor diagnosis and implemented components of an established program to decrease diagnostic delays and thereby reduce tumor- and treatment-related morbidities. This study evaluates if there was an improvement in the total diagnostic interval (TDI, time from symptom onset to diagnosis) after provider education. During the study, the COVID-19 pandemic forced alterations in care delivery. The impact this had on the TDI was also assessed. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed, and patients were separated into 2008-2017 (historical) and 2018-2021 (posteducation) groups to assess the effect of educational interventions on TDI. The posteducation cohort was analyzed separately to assess the impact of COVID-19 pandemic. Results: The 85 patients studied in the post-education group showed a median TDI of 31 days. Though not statistically significant (P = .939), this represents an 11-day decrease in median TDI compared to the historical group (42 days). In addition, the posteducation group showed an increase in the average number of healthcare provider visits (HCP, 2.4 historical to 3.2 posteducation, P = .009). The pre-COVID-19 group (median TDI 43.5 days) did not differ statistically from the post-COVID-19 group (30-day median TDI). Conclusion: The nonsignificant decrease in TDI and concurrent increase in HCP visits after implementation of education suggests a potential gap amongst providers in working-up primary CNS tumors. These results will influence expansion of education to further improve TDI.

Canadian multidisciplinary expert consensus on the use of biologics in upper airways: a Delphi study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) often coexists with lower airway disease. With the overlap between upper and lower airway disease, optimal management of the upper airways is undertaken in conjunction with that of the lower airways. Biologic therapy with targeted activity within the Type 2 inflammatory pathway can improve the clinical signs and symptoms of both upper and lower airway diseases. Knowledge gaps nevertheless exist in how best to approach patient care as a whole. There have been sixteen randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trails performed for CRSwNP targeted components of the Type 2 inflammatory pathway, notably interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5 and IL-13, IL- 5R, IL-33, and immunoglobulin (Ig)E. This white paper considers the perspectives of experts in various disciplines such as rhinology, allergy, and respirology across Canada, all of whom have unique and valuable insights to contribute on how to best approach patients with upper airway disease from a multidisciplinary perspective. METHODS: A Delphi Method process was utilized involving three rounds of questionnaires in which the first two were completed individually online and the third was discussed on a virtual platform with all the panelists. A national multidisciplinary expert panel of 34 certified specialists was created, composed of 16 rhinologists, 7 allergists, and 11 respirologists who evaluated the 20 original statements on a scale of 1-9 and provided comments. All ratings were quantitively reviewed by mean, median, mode, range, standard deviation and inter-rater reliability. Consensus was defined by relative interrater reliability measures-kappa coefficient ([Formula: see text]) value > 0.61. RESULTS: After three rounds, a total of 22 statements achieved consensus. This white paper only contains the final agreed upon statements and clear rationale and support for the statements regarding the use of biologics in patients with upper airway disease. CONCLUSION: This white paper provides guidance to Canadian physicians on the use of biologic therapy for the management of upper airway disease from a multidisciplinary perspective, but the medical and surgical regimen should ultimately be individualized to the patient. As more biologics become available and additional trials are published we will provide updated versions of this white paper every few years.

Developing an Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS) for Microlaryngoscopy.

BACKGROUND: Microlaryngoscopy is a basic technical skill in Oto-HNS. It is essential for residency programs to have a competency-based assessment tool to evaluate residents' performance of this procedure. An Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS) is a procedure-specific assessment, which consists of the following: (a) Operation-Specific Checklist and (b) Global Rating Scale (GRS). OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to create an OSATS for adult microlaryngoscopy. METHODS: This was a prospective study, with an initial qualitative phase for OSATS development (Phase I), and a clinical pilot phase (Phase II). In Phase I, interviews were conducted with three laryngologists to establish a stepwise description of adult microlaryngoscopy and review a previously validated GRS for relevance to microlaryngoscopy. Responses were used to create a framework for the OSATS. The OSATS was then presented to Oto-HNS residents and laryngologists in an alternating fashion, for review of clarity and relevance. A pilot study was then performed to evaluate the resident performance of adult microlaryngoscopy. Multiple regression analysis was carried out to investigate whether training level, case complexity, and previous OSATS exposure could predict participant scores. RESULTS: Phase I of this study led to the creation of a 34-item OSATS. The pilot study (N = 28 procedures) revealed that training level was significantly correlated with increased OSATS scores. There was no statistically significant correlation between case complexity and resident scores. Assessors reported the perceived utility of the OSATS and intent for use in residency training. CONCLUSION: Application of the proposed OSATS will allow for competency-based assessment of the resident performance of microlaryngoscopy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA Laryngoscope, 133:2719-2724, 2023.

Providing gender affirming and inclusive care to transgender men experiencing pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES AND DESIGN: Information about providing professional and appropriate perinatal care to transgender men in the perinatal setting is scarce, and healthcare providers often have insufficient knowledge or skills to provide this care. In response, a quality improvement educational program for nursing staff was developed and implemented, with the goal of evaluating the impact of this intervention on nurses' knowledge, skills, and attitudes when caring for pregnant transgender men. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: The training was offered to nursing staff of a 24-bed inpatient perinatal unit at a large, private academic medical center in a major East Coast city during the unit's quarterly staff meeting in March 2020. INTERVENTION: The training covered the provision of affirming and inclusive perinatal care for transgender men. The content of the training was based on recommendations in the literature and reviewed by content experts. MEASUREMENTS: Pre-test (N = 55) and post-test (N = 23) online self-administered surveys assessed nursing staff's knowledge of, comfort, and interest in providing gender affirming care for transgender men. Mann-Whitney U and Fischer's exact tests were used to determine significant changes in knowledge and attitudes over time. FINDINGS: Findings suggest the training improved nursing staff's self-reported knowledge and skills in providing gender affirming care to pregnant transgender men over time, with participants demonstrating improved knowledge about communication around pronouns, gender identity, reproductive systems, and obstetric history. Awareness of resources for both professional development and to refer transgender patients also improved. However, persistent deficits in other knowledge, skills, and attitudes remained, suggesting that nurses would likely benefit from further support and training in transgender-specific health issues. KEY CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Findings support the utility of unit-based training in improving affirming and inclusive care in the perinatal setting. This highlights opportunities for supporting nurses' professional practice of caring for transgender patients experiencing pregnancy and may be adapted for use in other specialty units.

Compelling Voices of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Prelicensure Nursing Students: Application of the Cultural Humility Framework.

BACKGROUND: Diversity, equity, and inclusion are increasingly recognized as core values for guiding nursing education, practice, and research. The conceptual framework of cultural humility has been adapted in a variety of health care settings, fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion through openness, supportive interaction, self-awareness, self-reflection, and critique. PROBLEM: Nurse educators have the opportunity, but may find it challenging, to teach students about the changing landscape of health care and the populations we serve. APPROACH: This article describes the integration of the cultural humility framework into nursing curricula to teach principles of diversity, equity, and inclusivity. We provide a practical example of a diversity panel, with student and panelist reflections, exploring the intersectionality of experiences in health care and integration of personal accounts and perspectives. CONCLUSION: Dialogue about diversity, equity, and inclusion is essential for preparing future nurses to deliver culturally competent care and promote health equity.

What is the optimal outcome after endoscopic sinus surgery in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis? A consultation of Canadian experts.

OBJECTIVES: Many experts feel that in the absence of well-defined goals for success, they have an easier time identifying failure. As success ought to not be defined only by absence of failure, we aimed to define optimal outcomes for endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) by obtaining expert surgeon perspectives. METHODS: A total of 12 surgeons participated in this targeted consultation. Face to face semi-structured interviews were performed with expert surgeons in the field of CRS and ESS. General impressions and personal definitions of acceptable operative success and optimal operative outcomes were compiled and summarized. RESULTS: According to an expert survey, patients' main objectives are an improvement in their chief complain, a general improvement in quality of life (QoL), and a better overall symptomatic control. The most important aspects of endoscopy for defining a successful intervention were an adequate mucus circulation, a healthy mucosa, minimal edema, and patency of all explored cavities or ostia. In the assessment of surgical outcomes, it was determined that both objective and patient reported data must be carefully examined, with more attention given to subjective outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: According to data gathered from a Canadian expert consultation, a definition of success must be based on both subjective data and nasal endoscopy. We propose to define an acceptable outcome as either a subjective improvement of at least the minimal clinically improvement difference of a validated patient reported outcome questionnaire, along with a satisfactory endoscopic result (1) or a complete subjective resolution with a sub-optimal endoscopy (2).

Patient Motivations and Goals for Bariatric Surgery: A Mixed Methods Study.

BACKGROUND: Existing research has primarily focused on weight as the outcome of interest for bariatric surgery; however, patients frequently report other lifestyle and interpersonal surgery motivations and goals. Understanding the spectrum of bariatric surgery goals and motivations has important implications for enhancing patient-centered care and surgery outcomes. OBJECTIVES: The current study characterized the nature of bariatric patient motivations and goals for surgery, described the extent to which motivations matched goals, and examined whether men and women differed in the specific motivations/goals described. SETTING: Teaching hospital, United States METHODS: Data were obtained via retrospective chart review of bariatric patient responses to the clinic's standard open-ended questions about motivations and goals for bariatric surgery. A mixed method approach was used, including content analysis, to identify themes and χ2/t test analyses to test gender differences. RESULTS: Surgery motivations and outcome goals were reflected by 8 overarching and overlapping themes. The most common motivations were related to general health and quality of life. The most common goals were to improve health/longevity and mobility. Over a quarter of patients showed no overlap between motivations and goals. Few gender differences were observed. CONCLUSION: Findings underscore the importance of goals beyond weight loss, as well as the utility of helping patients shape their goals in accordance with goal-setting theories.

Cultivating Resilience Among Perinatal Care Providers During the Covid-19 Pandemic.

The Covid-19 pandemic has further illuminated the already existing need for methods of building resilience in perinatal caregivers. Using a scoping review approach, literature was examined to identify evidence-based models of resilience building in a cohort of perinatal clinicians. Research published between January 2015 and 2020 was evaluated using PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, and PsycINFO databases. Of the initial 3399 records reviewed, 2 qualitative studies met the inclusion criteria. Given the deleterious effects of Covid-19 on perinatal care providers, and in light of the paucity of available studies, personnel, time, and funding should be allocated for research to address these issues.

Echocardiographic myocardial strain analysis describes subclinical cardiac dysfunction after craniospinal irradiation in pediatric and young adult patients with central nervous system tumors.

BACKGROUND: Craniospinal irradiation (CSI) is part of the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) tumors and is associated with cardiovascular disease in adults. Global myocardial strain analysis including longitudinal peak systolic strain (GLS), circumferential peak systolic strain (GCS), and radial peak systolic strain (GRS) can reveal subclinical cardiac dysfunction. METHODS: Retrospective, single-center study in patients managed with CSI vs. age-matched controls. Clinical data and echocardiography, including myocardial strain analysis, were collected at early (< 12 months) and late (≥ 12 months) time points after completion of CSI. RESULTS: Echocardiograms were available at 20 early and 34 late time points. Patients at the late time point were older (21.7 ± 10.4 vs. 13.3 ± 9.6 years) and further out from CSI (13.1 ± 8.8 vs. 0.2 ± 0.3 years). Standard echocardiographic parameters were normal for both groups. For early, CSI vs. control: GLS was - 16.8 ± 3.6% vs. -21.3 ± 4.0% (p = 0.0002), GCS was - 22.5 ± 5.2% vs. -21.3 ± 3.4% (p = 0.28), and GRS was 21.8 ± 11.0% vs. 26.9 ± 7.7% (p = 0.07). For late, CSI vs. control: GLS was - 16.2 ± 5.4% vs. -21.6 ± 3.7% (p < 0.0001), GCS was - 20.9 ± 6.8% vs. -21.9 ± 3.5% (p = 0.42), and GRS was 22.5 ± 10.0% vs. 27.3 ± 8.3% (p = 0.03). Radiation type (proton vs. photon), and radiation dose (< 30 Gy vs. ≥ 30 Gy) did not impact any parameter, although numbers were small. CONCLUSIONS: Subclinical cardiac systolic dysfunction by GLS is present both early and late after CSI. These results argue for future studies to determine baseline cardiovascular status and the need for early initiation of longitudinal follow-up post CSI.

Characterizing temporal genomic heterogeneity in pediatric low-grade gliomas.

Recent discoveries have provided valuable insight into the genomic landscape of pediatric low-grade gliomas (LGGs) at diagnosis, facilitating molecularly targeted treatment. However, little is known about their temporal and therapy-related genomic heterogeneity. An adequate understanding of the evolution of pediatric LGGs' genomic profiles over time is critically important in guiding decisions about targeted therapeutics and diagnostic biopsy at recurrence. Fluorescence in situ hybridization, mutation-specific immunohistochemistry, and/or targeted sequencing were performed on paired tumor samples from primary diagnostic and subsequent surgeries. Ninety-four tumor samples from 45 patients (41 with two specimens, four with three specimens) from three institutions underwent testing. Conservation of BRAF fusion, BRAFV600E mutation, and FGFR1 rearrangement status was observed in 100%, 98%, and 96% of paired specimens, respectively. No loss or gain of IDH1 mutations or NTRK2, MYB, or MYBL1 rearrangements were detected over time. Histologic diagnosis remained the same in all tumors, with no acquired H3K27M mutations or malignant transformation. Changes in CDKN2A deletion status at recurrence occurred in 11 patients (42%), with acquisition of hemizygous CDKN2A deletion in seven and loss in four. Shorter time to progression and shorter time to subsequent surgery were observed among patients with acquired CDKN2A deletions compared to patients without acquisition of this alteration [median time to progression: 5.5 versus 16.0 months (p = 0.048); median time to next surgery: 17.0 months versus 29.0 months (p = 0.031)]. Most targetable genetic aberrations in pediatric LGGs, including BRAF alterations, are conserved at recurrence and following chemotherapy or irradiation. However, changes in CDKN2A deletion status over time were demonstrated. Acquisition of CDKN2A deletion may define a higher risk subgroup of pediatric LGGs with a poorer prognosis. Given the potential for targeted therapies for tumors harboring CDKN2A deletions, biopsy at recurrence may be indicated in certain patients, especially those with rapid progression.

Retrospective analysis of combination carboplatin and vinblastine for pediatric low-grade glioma.

INTRODUCTION: Low-grade glioma (LGG) represent the most common pediatric central nervous system tumor. When total surgical resection is not feasible, chemotherapy is first-line therapy in children. Multiple pediatric LGG chemotherapy regimens have been investigated with variable 2-year event free survival (EFS) rates of 39-69%. To date, treatment of pediatric LGG with a carboplatin and vinblastine (C/VBL) chemotherapy regimen has only been evaluated in a phase 1 dose-finding study. METHODS: A retrospective review of pediatric patients with LGG who were treated with C/VBL at Children's Hospital of Colorado or Akron Children's Hospital from 2011 to 2017 was conducted. Data collected included patient demographics, tumor location, disease response, neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) status, therapy duration and toxicities. Response to therapy was determined by objective findings on imaging and treating physicians' evaluation. RESULTS: Forty-six patients were identified for analysis, all of whom were chemotherapy-naive. Only five patients treated in this cohort had NF1. BRAF fusion was identified in 65% (22/34) of tested tumors. Best therapy response was partial response in nine patients and stable disease in twenty-five patients. Twelve patients had progressive disease. One-year, 3-year, and 5-year EFS probabilities for all patients were 69.6%, 39.4%, and 34.5%, respectively. Nine patients had admissions for febrile neutropenia and seven patients experienced one delay in chemotherapy due to neutropenia. Only two patients had to discontinue this chemotherapy regimen because of treatment-related toxicities [carboplatin allergy (n = 1) and vinblastine neuropathy (n = 1)]. CONCLUSION: C/VBL achieves similar EFS rates to other single-agent and combination cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens for pediatric LGG with manageable toxicities.

Quality Indicators for the Diagnosis and Management of Acute Bacterial Rhinosinusitis.

BACKGROUND: Acute bacterial rhinosinusitis (ABRS) is a highly prevalent disease that is treated by a variety of specialties, including but not limited to, family physicians, emergency physicians, otolaryngology-head and neck surgeons, infectious disease specialists, and allergy and immunologists. Unfortunately, despite high-quality guidelines, variable and substandard care continues to be demonstrated in the treatment of ABRS. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop ABRS-specific quality indicators (QIs) to evaluate the diagnosis and management that reduces symptoms, improves quality of life, and prevents complications. METHODS: A guideline-based approach, proposed by Kötter et al., was used to develop QIs for ABRS. Candidate indicators (CIs) were extracted from 4 guiding documents and evaluated using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE II) tool. Each CI and its supporting evidence was summarized and reviewed by an expert panel based on validity, reliability, and feasibility of measurement. Final QIs were selected from CIs utilizing the modified RAND/University of California at Los Angeles appropriateness methodology. RESULTS: Twenty-nine CIs were identified after literature review and evaluated by our panel. Of these, 5 CIs reached consensus as being appropriate QIs, with 1 requiring additional discussion. After a second round of evaluations, the panel selected 7 QIs as appropriate measures of high-quality care. CONCLUSION: This study proposes 7 QIs for the diagnosis and management of patients with ABRS. These QIs can serve multiple purposes, including documenting the quality of care; comparing institutions and providers; prioritizing quality improvement initiatives; supporting accountability, regulation, and accreditation; and determining pay for performance initiatives.

The Influence of Social Media on Intrapartum Decision Making: A Scoping Review.

Social media has been influential in decision making regarding a number of health concerns. However, comparatively little has been examined with regard to its effects on pregnant women. The goal of this scoping review was to examine the literature and identify the role of social media in intrapartum decision making. A scoping review of the literature published between January 1990 and June 2018 was performed using PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsychINFO, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases. Of the initial 1951 records reviewed, 5 met inclusion criteria. Two of the 5 were quantitative in design, 1 was qualitative, and 2 used mixed methods. Internationally widespread, studies largely took place in developed nations including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Finland. Women are using the Internet, including social media, consistently as a source of pregnancy information, for example, 97% of 2400 participates in 1 exploratory study. This knowledge seeking was found to increase women's confidence and self-assurance in making decision during labor and birth. Studies identified issues surrounding women's ability to appraise available information. While it is clear that social media has an influence on women's intrapartum decision making, it is not clear exactly how. Further studies are needed to determine the content of the social media being appraised, the accuracy of the information, and the resulting decision as it affects the intrapartum experience. In addition, efforts should be made to open lines of communication between patients and care providers. This may foster a greater clinical understanding of social media consumption and its influences.

Objective and subjective sinonasal and pulmonary outcomes in aspirin desensitization therapy: A prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) patients are challenging to manage with sinonasal and pulmonary symptoms refractory to maximal medical and surgical therapies. Our objective was to comprehensively examine objective and validated, disease-specific subjective sinonasal and pulmonary outcomes of aspirin (ASA) desensitization therapy in this patient population. METHODS: Prospective cohort study at an academic tertiary center. AERD patients with a history of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP), prior diagnosis of asthma, and a history of ASA sensitivity were eligible for inclusion. Patients underwent ASA desensitization using an established institutional protocol and continued on a 650mg twice daily maintenance dose. Baseline Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) and Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) responses, acoustic rhinometry, peak flow readings, and endoscopic scoring of nasal polyps were recorded prior to desensitization and after 6months of maintenance therapy. RESULTS: Twelve patients were recruited for participation and underwent desensitization. Eight patients continued maintenance therapy and follow up at 6months. Prior to desensitization, patients reported bothersome sinonasal symptoms with a median SNOT-22 score of 30.0±34.5 (interquartile range (IQR)). There was significant improvement after 6months of maintenance therapy to a median SNOT-22 score of 18.5±17.3 (p=0.025, Wilcoxon signed rank test). Acoustic rhinometry, endoscopic scores, ACQ and forced expiratory volume values remained stable at 6months. CONCLUSIONS: AERD patients may benefit from ASA desensitization with subjective sinonasal symptom improvement at 6months and stable asthma and objective sinonasal measures. Further discussion is needed in the otolaryngology community regarding ASA desensitization in AERD management.