Skip to main content

Are atopy and eosinophilic bronchial inflammation associated with relapsing forms of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps?

Abstract

Background

The aetiopathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is still unknown. The role of atopy and the concept of united airways in such patients are still a matter of debate. In this pilot study we aimed at evaluating the degree of eosinophilic inflammation and the frequency of atopy in a cohort of CRSwNP patients candidate for Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) and assessing the association between these factors and relapsing forms of CRSwNP.

Methods

30 patients (18 men, 12 women) with CRSwNP eligible for FESS were evaluated before and after surgery. Preoperative investigation included: history of previous relapse after FESS, clinical and laboratory allergologic assessment, spirometry, methacholine challenge, blood eosinophilia and determination of the fraction of nitric oxide in exhaled air (FeNO). Nasal fibroendoscopy, spirometry and FeNO determination were also assessed prospectively at 3 and 27 months post-FESS.

Results

18/30 subjects were atopic, 6/18 (33 %) were monosensitized, 16/30 (53 %) were asthmatics and 10/30 (33 %) had non steroidalantinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) hypersensitivity. Twenty-one patients (70 %) were classified as relapsers, 15/18 (83 %) among atopics, 6/12 (50 %) among non atopics (p = 0.05). Among patients with NSAIDs hypersensitivity, 9/10 (90 %) were relapsers. The median IgE concentration was 161.5 UI/mL in relapsers and 79 UI/mL in non-relapsers (ns). The mean FeNO decreased after FESS (43.1–26.6 ppb) in 84 % of patients, but this effect disappeared over time (FeNO = 37.7 ppb at 27 months). Higher levels of FeNO pre-FESS were detected in atopics, and in particular in relapsing ones (median 51.1 ppb vs 22.1, ns). Higher levels of FeNO pre-FESS were detected in asthmatic patients, especially in those who relapsed (median: 67 vs 64.85 ppb in non-relapsed patients, ns). The Tiffeneau Index (FEV1/FVC) was significantly lower in asthmatic relapsers than in non relapsers asthmatics (94.7 ± 11.1 versus 105 ± 5.9—p = 0.04). Patients with asthma and atopy had a major risk of relapse (p = 0.05).

Conclusion

In our pilot study, atopy, severe asthma, bronchial inflammation, NSAIDs hypersensitivity and high level of total IgE are possible useful prognostic factors for the proneness to relapse after FESS. The role of allergy in CRSwNP pathogenesis should consequently be given deeper consideration. Allergen specific immunotherapy, combined with anti-IgE therapy, may have an immunomodulatory effect preventing polyps relapse and need to be investigated.

Background

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) affects approximately 5–15 % of the general population both in Europe and the USA, ranking this condition second in prevalence among all chronic conditions [13]. Only a fraction of CRS patients develop nasal polyps (NP), suggesting that nasal inflammation could follow different pathogenic pathways. The reported prevalence of NP is 2.7 % in population-based studies [4]. NP occur in all races with a slight male preponderance (male to female ratio = 2.2:1) [5] and with an increased frequency in asthmatics. Besides congenital subtypes (e.g. those secondary to cystic fibrosis), most forms of NP have their onset in the early adulthood [69]. However, all age groups are involved and the prevalence of the disease grows with age.

Little is known about the pathogenesis of CRS with or without NP (CRSwNP and CRSnNP respectively). As a consequence, most patients are classified as having idiopathic CRS in the daily clinical practice. Indeed chronic inflammation of the mucosa of the nose and paranasal sinuses develops in almost all cases, maybe as the evolution of acute rhinosinusitis (especially in cases of CRSnNP). According to the current pathogenic paradigm, genetic susceptibility [10, 11] and environmental triggers probably concur to the failure of the normal immunological surveillance at the level of the airway mucosa and to the development of aberrant immune responses against unknown allergens/antigens [12]. In particular, chronic bacterial colonization of the respiratory mucosa is thought to promote IgE production through superantigen stimulation [12, 13] and subsequently to enhance the degranulation of mast cells within the polyps [14]. This phenomenon would explain the known discrepancy between the high local expression of IgE in the mucosa of asthmatic and CRSwNP (but not CRSnNP) patients and the poor correlation of this finding with serum IgE concentrations and skin prick test results [15].

The prognosis of CRS is worse in CRSwNP than in CRSnNP, especially if the patient is suffering also from asthma and non steroidalantinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) hypersensitivity [16, 17]. CRSwNP is in fact characterized by invalidating symptoms, that alter patient quality of life. Furthermore the rate of post-surgical recurrence is high (60 %) in these patients, when compared to patients with CRSnNP. However, affordable markers of disease activity and predictors of relapse are not yet available for the Clinician to date.

We thus aimed at identifying possible associations between a panel of clinical, laboratory and functional markers of atopy and eosinophilic inflammation and the disease course of patients with CRSwNP before and after FESS.

Methods

Patients

30 CRSwNP patients, aged 18–75 years and candidate to FESS were consecutively enrolled. The study was approved by the Ethical Committee of the SanRaffaele Hospital (Milan, Italy) and all subjects signed informed consent. CRSwNP was diagnosed by fibroscopy and CT scan without contrast media. Fourteen patients had already undergone FESS in the past. Patients with previous relapses and patients with evidence of relapse at 27 months were all included in the “relapsers’” subgroup. Exclusion criteria were represented by associated congenital diseases (Cystic fibrosis), granulomatous or vasculitic diseases (Sarcoidosis, Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis, Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis).

Clinical, laboratory and functional assessments included:

  • Allergy assessment: Clinical history: exposure to environmental agents: occupational agents, pets, smoke, familiarity for allergic diseases, asthma, rhinosinusitis, autoimmune diseases. Past allergic clinical history: rhinocongiuntivitis, rhinosinusitis, asthma, drug hypersensitivity, food allergy. Allergy tests already performed. Extra-allergic clinical history and current medical/surgical treatment were also assessed. All patients underwent skin prick tests (SPTs) for common aeroallergens (house dust mites, mould (Alternaria, Cladosporium, Aspergillus), pollens (Hazel, Alder, Birch, Cypress, Grass, Olive, Parietaria, Mugwort and Ragweed), latex and cat and pet dander as previously described [18].

  • Laboratory assessments: all patients underwent a complete blood count, erythrosedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), protein electrophoresis, antinuclear antibodies, anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody, total and specific IgE for the aeroallergens panel previously described for SPTs, in case of negative in vivo tests. Blood hypereosinophilia was defined as eosinophils >500/mm3. Patients were classified as atopic when SPT and/or specific IgE were positive to at least one common aeroallergen.

  • Lung function test: Spirometry: lung function tests were performed using the standard protocols according to the American Thoracic Society and the European Respiratory Society (ATS/ERS) guidelines [19]. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and vital capacity (VC) were expressed as a percentage of predicted value. Tiffeneau index (TI) is the ratio of FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC), used in the diagnosis of obstructive airways diseases. Asthmatic patients were receiving a standard long-term control medication for asthma. Methacholine challenge was performed to assess aspecific bronchial hyper reactivity and was made according to the ATS/ERS guidelines in patients without a previous asthma diagnosis and with a normal spirometry at baseline.

  • Offline measurement of the fraction of nitric oxide (NO) in exhaled air (FeNO). This procedure was performed according to the ATS/ERS guidelines [20].

Timing

Patients were first evaluated 3 months after FESS by performing: (1) Ear, nose and throat (ENT) visit with fibroendoscopy. (2) Allergy visit. (3) Complete blood count. (4) Determination of FeNO in exhaled air. (5) Lung function test. At 27 months patients were re-evaluated through (1) ENT visit with fibroendoscopy. (2) Allergy visit and (3) determination of FeNO in exhaled air.

Statistics

Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD) or median ± IQR. For group comparisons, we used the Mann–Whitney U test. Categorical variables were compared with the Fisher’s exact test. P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Relative risk for relapse of CRSwNP co-morbidities was also calculated.

Results

The clinical features of the 30 CRSWNP patients (19 males, 11 females) are shown in Table 1. Eighteen patients were atopic (11 of them newly diagnosed), 16/30 were asthmatics (9 of them newly diagnosed) and 10/30 had NSAIDs hypersensitivity. Fourteen patients (47 %) had a history of at least one previous relapse after FESS whereas 16/30 (53 %) were at their first surgery. Twenty-one patients (70 %) experienced relapse during their disease history (7/21 relapses occurred during the 27 ± 7 months period of prospective observation).

Table 1 clinical characteristics of the study population

Allergological parameters and association of atopy with relapse

The detailed description of allergycharacteristics of the 30 CRSWNP patients are shown in Additional file 1: Table S1. Eighteen patients (60 %) were atopic: 15 relapsers (83 %) and 3 non relapsers (p = 0.05, RR: 5, IC: 0.93–26.78) Fig. 1. Six out of 18 atopic patients (33 %) were monosensitized, whereas 12 (67 %) polysensitized. Three out of 18 (16.6 %) were sensitized to a seasonal allergen, whereas 15/18 (83.4 %) were sensitized also to a perennial allergen (house dust mites, moulds and/or pets dander). The median IgE concentration was higher in atopic, in particular in relapsers (Median: 161.5 UI/mL in relapsersversus 79 UI/mL in non-relapsers, ns), as showed in Fig. 2. Three subjects had high level of total IgE, without a sensitization to common aeroallergens. Two of them relapsed after surgery.

Fig. 1
figure 1

Frequency of atopy in relapsers: there was a trend of relapse in atopics versus non atopic subjects (p = 0.05).

Fig. 2
figure 2

IgE levels considering atopy and relapse: higher levels of IgE were detected in atopics, in particular in relapsed ones.

Asthma

We found that 16/30 (53 %) patients were asthmatics. The diagnosis of asthma was made for the first time with us in 9 out of 16 asthmatic patients (56 %) of our group. Among asthmatics 13/16 (81 %) were relapsers (ns). The phenotype of CRSwNP patients with both asthma and atopy was more associated with relapsing forms of CRSwNP (p = 0.05).

Markers of eosinophilic inflammation

Eight out of 21 relapsers (38 %) had increased blood eosinophilia versus 2/9 (22 %) non-relapsers (ns). Nitric oxide in exhaled air (FeNO) was evaluated both in asthmatics/non asthmatics and atopics/non atopics (Table 2). High levels of FeNO (>25 ppb) were detected in 50 % of patients at baseline and at the end of the follow-up. More than 50 % of patients had high levels of FeNO (>25 ppb) at baseline and at the end of the follow up. The mean FeNO decreased after FESS (43.1–26.6 ppb) in 84 % of patients who performed the analysis both before and after FESS (Fig. 3). However after 27 ± 7 months higher levels of FeNO were again detected (FeNO = 37.7 ppb at 27 months; Fig. 3). Higher levels of FeNO pre-FESS were detected in atopic (median: 30.10 vs 24.85 ppb in non atopic patients ns), and in particular in relapsed atopics versus non relapsed ones (median 51.1 ppb vs 22.1, ns). Higher levels of FeNO pre-FESS were detected inasthmatic patients (median FeNo levels 67 vs 19.2 ppb in non asthmatic patients; p = 0.05), especially in those who relapsed (median: 67 vs 64.85 ppb in non-relapsed patients, ns) (Figs. 4, 5).

Table 2 Percentage of patients with high FeNO (>25 ppb)
Fig. 3
figure 3

Timecourse of FeNO at baseline and at the short and long-term follow-up: the mean FeNO decreased after FESS (43.1–26.6 ppb) in 84 % of patients who performed the analysis both before and after FESS. However after 27 ± 7 months higher levels of FeNO were again detected (FeNO = 37.7 ppb at 27 months).

Fig. 4
figure 4

FeNO levels before surgery in atopic and non-atopic patients: higher levels of FeNO pre-FESS were detected in atopics, and in particular in relapsed ones.

Fig. 5
figure 5

FeNO levels before surgery in asthmatic and non-asthmatic patients: higher levels of FeNO pre-FESS were detected in asthmatics, and in particular in relapsed ones.

Respiratory function tests

The Tiffeneau Index (FEV1/FVC) was significantly lower in asthmatic relapsers than in non relapsers asthmatics (94.7 ± 11.1 versus 105 ± 5.9—p = 0.04). Also FEV 1 showed a worse trend in relapsers, when compared to non relapsers (3.07L, 96.7 % pred versus 3.7, 103 % pred, ns).

Discussion

Identifying pathogenic factors involved in the development of NP and clinical markers of post-surgical relapse are still important unmet needs in the ENT/allergological practice. Here we described a cohort of patients with CRSwNP undergoing FESS and we evaluated clinical, laboratory and functional parameters during the course of the disease and in a short prospective period.

Persistent and symptomatic inflammation of the nasal mucosa and paranasal sinuses characterize CRSwNP as part of a complex pathophysiological continuum of eosinophilic inflammation involving both the upper and lower respiratory tract (United Airways Disease) [21]. NSAIDs hypersensitivity and asthma are also part of this pathological process and show strong epidemiological and pathogenic associations with CRSwNP [9, 22, 23]. In particular, the severity of asthma has been linked with the risk of relapse in patients with CRSwNP, while surgical treatment of NP ameliorated functional parameters in asthmatic patients [24].

Here, we showed that FeNO levels, which better correlate with the degree of eosinophilic inflammation at the level of the (lower) airways, were higher in asthmatic patients and relapsers. FeNO levels readily decreased after FESS in CRSwNP. Thus, in addition to previous reports describing an improvement in asthma symptoms and in peak expiratory flow rate [24], we provide an indirect evidence that immunological responses occurring at the level of the higher airways are required to sustain inflammation in the lower part of the respiratory tract, in accordance with the United Airways Disease hypothesis [21].

According to the literature, there is a weak association between atopy and the risk of NP development and relapse [9, 22, 23]. Consequently, allergy testing are not included in the flowchart of CRSWNP patients suggested by EPOS guidelines [1]. However, local derangement of the immune function towards aberrant IgE responses contributes to the maintenance of inflammation in CRSwNP [25]. Accordingly, anti-IgE therapeutic regimens showed efficacy in preventing NP relapses [26] and in the treatment of recalcitrant forms of NP associated with asthma [27, 28]. In this setting, the potential role of systemically deranged IgE responses (i.e. atopy) is still debated [25, 2931]. In our small set of patients with CRSwNP, atopy shows a high prevalence, possibly due to a selection bias towards more severe forms of CRSwNP, frequently associated with comorbidities, in particular asthma, NSAIDs hypersensitivity and atopy, sometimes accompanied by clinically significant respiratory symptoms. We also observed an association between NP relapse and atopy, and this association was confirmed in patients with allergic asthma. In accordance to a prominent role of local IgE response in the pathogenesis of CRSwNP, circulating levels of IgE were higher in relapsing forms of CRSwNP.

Chronic rinonasal inflammation could be supported by an aberrant response against exogenous well known aeroallergens (house dust mites, fungi) [31] or develop as the result of superantigen (e.g. from S. aureus) stimulation [12]. Along with this line, we could hypothesize that specific immunotherapy (SIT) could prove beneficial in CRSWNP. However, few studies investigated the association between sensitization to aeroallergens and NPs, and even fewer tested the efficacy of SIT in the treatment of CRSWNP and prevention of relapse after FESS surgery. In particular the only large trial published to date [32] reported no benefit with the use of SIT with respect to NP relapse. However, that study was strongly limited by the short period of SIT administration.

Conclusions

CRSWNP could be associated with atopy, clinical allergy, asthma and NSAIDs hypersensitivity. Patients with CRSwNP need therefore to be evaluated by mean of a multidisciplinary approach. Our data suggest that the phenotype of patients with both asthma and atopy is associated with relapsing forms of CRSwNP. Patients with CRSWNP show also signs of aberrant IgE responses and eosinophilic inflammation. Local inflammation of the upper respiratory tract seems to contribute to the maintenance of inflammation at the level of lower airways. On the other hand, local indices of eosinophilic inflammation and aberrant IgE response do not correlate with the corresponding systemic counterparts and are probably more accurate as markers of disease and maybe as predictors of relapse in CRSWNP. More studies are required to confirm the link between atopy allergic asthma and relapsing forms of CRSwNP.

References

  1. Fokkens WJ, Lund VJ, Mullol J, Bachert C, Alobid I, Baroody F et al (2012) European position paper on rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps 2012. Rhinol Suppl (23):3 p preceding table of contents, 1–298

  2. Collins JG (1997) Prevalence of selected chronic conditions: United States, 1990–1992. Vital Health Stat Ser 10 Data Natl Health Surv 194:1–89

    Google Scholar 

  3. Pilan RR, Pinna FR, Bezerra TF, Mori RL, Padua FG, Bento RF et al (2012) Prevalence of chronic rhinosinusitis in Sao Paulo. Rhinology 50(2):129–138. doi:10.4193/Rhino11.256

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Johansson L, Akerlund A, Holmberg K, Melen I, Bende M (2003) Prevalence of nasal polyps in adults: the Skovde population-based study. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 112(7):625–629

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Larsen K, Tos M (2002) The estimated incidence of symptomatic nasal polyps. Acta Otolaryngol 122(2):179–182

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Drake-Lee AB, Lowe D, Swanston A, Grace A (1984) Clinical profile and recurrence of nasal polyps. J Laryngol Otoltol 98(8):783–793

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Moloney JR (1977) Nasal polyps, nasal polypectomy, asthma, and aspirin sensitivity. Their association in 445 cases of nasal polyps. J laryngolOtol 91(10):837–846

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Larsen K, Tos M (1994) Clinical course of patients with primary nasal polyps. Acta Otolaryngol 114(5):556–559

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Settipane GA (1996) Epidemiology of nasal polyps. Allergy Asthma Proc 17(5):231–236

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Fruth K, Goebel G, Koutsimpelas D, Gosepath J, Schmidtmann I, Mann WJ et al (2012) Low SPINK5 expression in chronic rhinosinusitis. Laryngoscope 122(6):1198–1204

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Erbek SS, Yurtcu E, Erbek S, Atac FB, Sahin FI, Cakmak O (2007) Proinflammatory cytokine single nucleotide polymorphisms in nasal polyposis. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 133(7):705–709

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Conley DB, Tripathi A, Seiberling KA, Schleimer RP, Suh LA, Harris K et al (2006) Superantigens and chronic rhinosinusitis: skewing of T-cell receptor V beta-distributions in polyp-derived CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Am J Rhinol 20(5):534–539

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  13. Bachert C, Gevaert P, Zhang N, van Zele T, Perez-Novo C (2007) Role of staphylococcal superantigens in airway disease. Chem Immunol Allergy 93:214–236

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Nakamura Y, Oscherwitz J, Cease KB, Chan SM, Munoz-Planillo R, Hasegawa M et al (2013) Staphylococcus delta-toxin induces allergic skin disease by activating mast cells. Nature 503(7476):397–401

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  15. Small P, Barrett D, Frenkiel S, Rochon L, Cohen C, Black M (1985) Local specific IgE production in nasal polyps associated with negative skin tests and serum RAST. Ann Allergy 55(5):736–739

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Probst L, Stoney P, Jeney E, Hawke M (1992) Nasal polyps, bronchial asthma and aspirin sensitivity. J Otolaryngol 21(1):60–65

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Szczeklik A, Sanak M, Nizankowska-Mogilnicka E, Kielbasa B (2004) Aspirin intolerance and the cyclooxygenase-leukotriene pathways. Curr Opin Pulm Med 10(1):51–56

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Bousquet J, Heinzerling L, Bachert C, Papadopoulos NG, Bousquet PJ, Burney PG et al (2012) Practical guide to skin prick tests in allergy to aeroallergens. Allergy 67(1):18–24

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Brusasco V, Crapo R, Viegi G, American Thoracic S, European respiratory S (2005) Coming together: the ATS/ERS consensus on clinical pulmonary function testing. Eur Respir J 26(1):1–2

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. American Thoracic S, European Respiratory S (2005) ATS/ERS recommendations for standardized procedures for the online and offline measurement of exhaled lower respiratory nitric oxide and nasal nitric oxide, 2005. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 171(8):912–930

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Bachert C, Patou J, Van Cauwenberge P (2006) The role of sinus disease in asthma. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol 6(1):29–36

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Caplin I, Haynes JT, Spahn J (1971) Are nasal polyps an allergic phenomenon? Ann Allergy 29(12):631–634

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Grigoreas C, Vourdas D, Petalas K, Simeonidis G, Demeroutis I, Tsioulos T (2002) Nasal polyps in patients with rhinitis and asthma. Allergy Asthma Proc 23(3):169–174

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Ehnhage A, Olsson P, Kolbeck KG, Skedinger M, Dahlen B, Alenius M et al (2009) Functional endoscopic sinus surgery improved asthma symptoms as well as PEFR and olfaction in patients with nasal polyposis. Allergy 64(5):762–769

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Bachert C, Gevaert P, Holtappels G, Johansson SG, van Cauwenberge P (2001) Total and specific IgE in nasal polyps is related to local eosinophilic inflammation. J Allergy Clin Immunol 107(4):607–614

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Penn R, Mikula S (2007) The role of anti-IgE immunoglobulin therapy in nasal polyposis: a pilot study. Am J Rhinol 21(4):428–432

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Guglielmo M, Gulotta C, Mancini F, Sacchi M, Tarantini F (2009) Recalcitrant nasal polyposis: achievement of total remission following treatment with omalizumab. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 19(2):158–159

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Gevaert P, Calus L, Van Zele T, Blomme K, De Ruyck N, Bauters W et al (2013) Omalizumab is effective in allergic and nonallergic patients with nasal polyps and asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol 131(1):110–116

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Avelino MA, Wastowski IJ, Ferri RG, Elias TG, Lima AP, Nunes LM et al (2013) Interleukin-17A expression in patients presenting with nasal polyposis. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol 79(5):616–619

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Bunnag C, Pacharee P, Vipulakom P, Siriyananda C (1983) A study of allergic factor in nasal polyp patients. Ann Allergy 50(2):126–132

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Cao PP, Zhang YN, Liao B, Ma J, Wang BF, Wang H et al (2014) Increased local IgE production induced by common aeroallergens and phenotypic alteration of mast cells in Chinese eosinophilic, but not non-eosinophilic, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. Clin Exp Allergy 44(5):690–700

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  32. Nishioka GJ, Cook PR, Davis WE, McKinsey JP (1994) Immunotherapy in patients undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 110(4):406–412

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors’ contributions

MRY, GCo, MT, MGS, and AAM designed the study. MRY and GCo performed the allergy work up. MRY, VC, EDT, MBa collected clinical data. MRY, GAR, PP and GCo analysed clinical and functional data, performed the statistical analysis, wrote and revised the paper. MT, MBu performed the ENT evaluation. GCr, SDF performed the lung function tests. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Funding source

No external funding sources were used for this study.

Compliance with ethical guidelines

Competing interests The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mona-Rita Yacoub.

Additional files

Additional file 1:

Table S1. Allergy characterization of the study population.

Rights and permissions

Open Access This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Yacoub, MR., Trimarchi, M., Cremona, G. et al. Are atopy and eosinophilic bronchial inflammation associated with relapsing forms of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps?. Clin Mol Allergy 13, 23 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12948-015-0026-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12948-015-0026-8

Keywords