Bibi Lange

Chronic rhinosinusitis in Europe--an underestimated disease. A GA²LEN study.

To cite this article: Hastan D, Fokkens WJ, Bachert C, Newson RB, Bislimovska J, Bockelbrink A, Bousquet PJ, Brozek G, Bruno A, Dahlén SE, Forsberg B, Gunnbjörnsdóttir M, Kasper L, Krämer U, Kowalski ML, Lange B, Lundbäck B, Salagean E, Todo‐Bom A, Tomassen P, Toskala E, van Drunen CM, Bousquet J, Zuberbier T, Jarvis D, Burney P. Chronic rhinosinusitis in Europe – an underestimated disease. A GA2LEN study. Allergy 2011; 66: 1216–1223.

Effect of intranasal fluticasone propionate and triamcinolone acetonide on basal and dynamic measures of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal‐axis activity in healthy volunteers

Background Most published studies show that intranasal corticosteroids have no effect on the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, but there have been isolated reports to the contrary, contradicting accumulated knowledge on pharmacokinetics.

Chronic rhinosinusitis and occupational risk factors among 20- to 75-year-old Danes—A GA2LEN-based study†

BACKGROUND Very little is known about occupational risk factors for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). The aim of this study was to evaluate occupational and other potential risk factors for CRS in a Danish population. METHODS A cross sectional survey study among 4,554 Danes aged 20-75 years evaluated self-reported symptoms of CRS, asthma, and nasal allergy, along with information on smoking habits and occupation. RESULTS A total of 3,099 returned completed questionnaires (response rate 68.1%). The overall CRS prevalence was 7.8% with no significant differences related to age or gender. Risk ratio estimates revealed an increased risk of CRS among female blue collar workers compared to female white collar workers. Among men the effect of occupation depended on smoking status. Occupational exposure to gasses, fumes, dust, or smoke increased the overall risk of CRS. CRS was reported approximately four times as often in subjects with asthma and in subjects with nasal allergy. Current smoking doubled the CRS prevalence. CONCLUSIONS CRS prevalence was affected by occupation (blue vs. white collar), but the observed effect depended on gender and smoking status. Exposure to airway irritants (occupational or smoking) increased the CRS prevalence. Studies on larger cohorts are needed to fully assess these tendencies, for example, by more extensive use of Job Exposure Matrix models.

Prevalence of chronic rhinosinusitis in a population of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease

Background An increased coexistence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) has been reported in epidemiologic and register studies, and reflux has been shown more frequently in patients with CRS in studies using esophagus pH manometry compared to participants without CRS. A discussion is ongoing about whether there might be an association between these two diseases and, if so, whether the association is causal. Objective The purpose of this study was to clinically investigate the prevalence and symptom severity scores of CRS among patients with GERD. The results were compared with those of a randomly assigned control group from the general Danish population. Method In this case–control study, 82 patients with GERD were examined for CRS using the European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps criteria, which combine patient history and anterior/posterior rhinoscopy results. Sinonasal-related quality of life was assessed by using the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test 22 (SNOT-22). These results were compared with those of a population-based control group examined for CRS in the same way. Results The prevalence of CRS among patients with GERD was 20.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 12.0%-29.5%), significantly higher than the CRS prevalence of 8.5% (95% CI, 6.8%-10.2%) in the background population. Patients with GERD and CRS had an average SNOT-22 score of 43.8, whereas patients with CRS from the background population scored, on average, 28.1. Having GERD increased the mean SNOT-22 score in patients with CRS by 15.7 (95% CI, 6.5-24.9). Conclusion The results of this study provide additional evidence of an association between GERD and CRS and indicate that GERD may play a role in the development of CRS. The results also show that sinonasal-related quality of life is decreased in patients with CRS who also suffer from GERD.

Diagnosing chronic rhinosinusitis: comparing questionnaire-based and clinical-based diagnosis

BACKGROUND The European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps (EP3OS) incorporates symptomatic and endo- scopic criteria in the clinical diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), while in epidemiological studies the definition is based on symptoms only. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between questionnaire-based and clinical-based CRS. METHODS Based on the GA2LEN postal survey data a total of 366 persons participated at the follow-up at the Danish centre and provided information on questionnaire-based CRS. At the same occasion the 366 participants underwent clinical inter- view and examination by an otorhinolaryngologist to provide information for a clinical-based CRS diagnosis. The association between questionnaire-based and clinical-based CRS diagnosis was determined using logistic regression models and kappa statistics. RESULTS Mean age of respondents to the postal questionnaire was 45.3 years and 52.9% were female. Persons with asthma were 8.4 % and 26.2 % were actual smokers. There was moderate agreement between questionnaire-based and clinical-based CRS. Sensitivity was [corrected] low comparing questionnaire-based CRS with clinical-based CRS. Incorporation of self reported CRS and medical history in diagnosing CRS by questionnaire increased increased [corrected] the agreement and sensitivity while specificity stayed at a high level. [corrected] CONCLUSION Evaluating the correlation between questionnaire-based and clinical-based CRS showed only moderate agree- ment and questions whether they evaluate the same disease. It brings into consideration that adjustments are needed to justify correlation between questionnaire-based and clinical-based diagnosis of CRS.

Complement Defects in Patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis

The complement system is an important part of our immune system, and complement defects lead generally to increased susceptibility to infections and autoimmune diseases. We have studied the role of complement activity in relation with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), and more specifically studied whether complement defects collectively predispose individuals for CRS or affect CRS severity. The participants comprised 87 CRS patients randomly selected from the general population, and a control group of 150 healthy blood donors. The CRS patients were diagnosed according to the European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and nasal Polyps criteria, and severity was evaluated by the Sino-nasal Outcome Test-22. Serum samples were analysed by ELISA for activity of the respective pathways of complement, and subsequently for serum levels of relevant components. We found that the frequency of complement defects was significantly higher among CRS patients than among healthy control subjects. A majority of Mannan-binding lectin deficient CRS patients was observed. The presence of complement defects had no influence on the severity of subjective symptoms. Our studies show that defects in the complement system collectively may play an immunological role related to the development of CRS. However, an association between severity of symptoms and presence of complement defects could not be demonstrated.

The Sinonasal Outcome Test 22 score in persons without chronic rhinosinusitis

To determine the Sinonasal Outcome Test 22 (SNOT 22) score in persons without chronic rhinosinusitis.

Acoustic rhinometry in persons recruited from the general population and diagnosed with chronic rhinosinusitis according to EPOS

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a disease related to the nose and the paranasal sinus as defined by the European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps (EPOS) criteria. The criteria include subjective symptoms, such as nasal obstruction, and objective findings by endoscopy. Acoustic rhinometry (AR) is an objective method to determine nasal cavity geometry. The technique is based on a sound pulse reflection analysis in the nasal cavity and determines cross-sectional areas as a function of distance as well as volume. AR measurements in persons recruited from the general population, with and without CRS based on the clinical EPOS criteria, were investigated. As part of a trans-European study, 362 persons, comprising 91 persons with CRS and 271 persons without CRS, were examined by an otolaryngologist including rhinoscopy. Minimum cross-sectional area, distance to minimum cross-sectional area, and volume in the nasal cavity were measured by acoustic rhinometry and all participants underwent Peak Nasal Inspiratory Flow (PNIF) and allergy test. A difference in AR was found before and after decongestion, but no difference was seen between CRS patients and controls. Positive correlation between AR and PNIF was found and AR was capable of identifying mucosal oedema and septum deviation visualised by rhinoscopy. In conclusion, AR, as a single instrument, was not capable of discriminating persons with CRS from persons without CRS in the general population. However, AR correlates well with PNIF and was capable of identifying septum deviation and mucosal oedema.

Desloratadin: Profil eines modernen Antihistaminikums

In Germany the antihistamine desloratadine is approved for treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis and chronic idiopathic urticaria. It differs from other modern antihistamines in its broad range of antiallergic effects, its strong H1-receptor affinity and its pharmacokinetic properties. This profile is reflected in an outstanding clinical efficacy in allergic rhinitis, concomitant asthmatic symptoms, and urticaria as well as a tolerability comparable to placebo. Desloratadine is consistently effective against nasal obstruction.

The validity of nasal endoscopy in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis: An inter-rater agreement study

Nasal endoscopy is a cornerstone in diagnosing sinonasal disease, but different raters might generate different results using the technique. Our study aims to evaluate the agreement between multiple raters to assess the validity of nasal endoscopy.