People who undergo sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) fare worse if they have severe asthma. The findings were presented in the study, “Impact of Asthma Severity on Surgical Outcomes in Patients With Chronic Rhinosinusitis Comorbid With Asthma,” recently published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
Researchers from The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University in China followed 83 patients over a 12-year period and noted that although endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) generally led to improved nasal symptoms and endoscopic scores, patients with more severe asthma experienced notably poorer outcomes.
Of the 71 patients who completed the full follow-up, nearly 68% experienced a recurrence of nasal polyps, and 31% required revision surgery. Those with severe asthma were the most affected, showing the highest rates of recurrence and revision procedures. They also reported the least improvement in symptoms such as smell disturbance and general well-being.
“The results indicate that more severe asthma correlates with worse [endoscopic sinus surgery] outcomes and higher revision surgery rates, suggesting that asthma severity may predict adverse long-term outcomes in CRSwNP patients with asthma,” Bo Zhang, MD, of the college’s department of otolaryngology, said to Healio.
According to researchers, the findings underscore the importance of considering asthma severity when planning surgical treatment for CRSwNP. Additionally, they said it may be necessary to tailor management strategies to improve long-term outcomes in patients with severe asthma.
The study highlights the need for integrated care approaches that address both upper and lower airway diseases, especially in patients with complex respiratory conditions.
