METHODS: Since 1994, closure of the nose has been undertaken to prevent severe nasal bleeding in patients meeting specific selection criteria. Outcome data collected on this cohort pre- and post-operatively is available for analysis.
RESULTS: From a cohort of 515 HHT patients, 100 have undergone nasal closure, bilateral ab initio in 81%. Fifty patients completed pre- and post-operative epistaxis severity questionnaires and provided information on post-operative problems and 28 completed a Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI). Overall most patients derived significant benefit from the procedure with complete cessation of nasal bleeding in 94%, a highly significant improvement in the epistaxis score and a mean GBI score of 53.4. Loss of smell and taste was the most frequent post-operative complaint.
CONCLUSION: HHT can be associated with life-threatening epistaxis significantly affecting patients quality of life. Permanent prevention of airflow is associated with complete or near-total cessation of epistaxis in the majority of patients.
METHODS: Embase (1947- ) and Medline (1946-) were searched until 6th June 2017. A search strategy was utilized to identify studies on nspIgE among patients with NAR. The target population was patients with symptoms of rhinitis, but negative systemic allergen sensitization. Studies with original data on detectable nspIgE among the NAR population were included. Meta-analysis of single proportions as a weighted probability %(95%CI) was performed. Heterogeneity was explored amongst studies.
RESULTS: A search strategy returned 2286 studies and 21 were included. These studies involved 648 participants with NAR. NspIgE was detected using either; 1. nasal secretions, 2. epithelial mucosa sampling, 3. tissue biopsies or 4. In-situ tests. Metaanalysis was performed on studies with nasal secretions. The weighted proportion of detectable nspIgE in nasal secretions within patients with NAR was 10.2 (7.4-13.4) %. Population definitions partly explained variability. Detection of nspIgE was lower in patients without a history suggestive of allergy compared to those with a positive allergic history (0 (0-3.1) % v 19.8 (14.5-25.6) %, p<0.01).
CONCLUSION: NAR with positive allergy history suggests presence of nspIgE. These patients warrant further allergology evaluation to confirm localized nasal allergy, as they benefit from allergy therapy such as immunotherapy.
CONCLUSIONS: We have provided an overview of current evidence and expert-agreed recommendations for the definition, investigation, and management of OD. As for our original Position Paper, we hope that this updated document will encourage clinicians and researchers to adopt a common language, and in so doing, increase the methodological quality, consistency, and generalisability of work in this field.
METHODS: Narrative review of the literature, identifying and describing outcome measures that may be used in the evaluation of CRSwNP and for assessment of treatment responses.
RESULTS: In this review, we identify many different outcome measures for CRSwNP that fall under the categories of PROM, objective test, psychophysical test or biomarker. We describe the history of each - including seminal studies - and demonstrate the formal validation, psychometric performance, and limitations of each.
CONCLUSIONS: PROMs, objective tests, psychophysical tests and biomarkers represent different classes of outcome measures that are complementary means of assessing CRSwNP disease status and treatment efficacy. The choice or interpretation of a CRSwNP outcome measure should be undertaken with full knowledge of its formal validation, psychometric performance, and limitations.