The impact of asthma and aspirin sensitivity on quality of life of patients with nasal polyposis

Qual Life Res. 2005 Apr;14(3):789-93. doi: 10.1007/s11136-004-1597-x.

Abstract

Background: Nasal polyposis is not a life-threatening disease but may have a great impact on patient's quality of life.

Objective: To investigate the impact of nasal polyps on quality of life compared with the Spanish general population using the SF-36 questionnaire; and to evaluate the impact of asthma and aspirin sensitivity on quality of life in patients with nasal polyposis.

Methods: We included 130 patients with nasal polyposis and evaluated nasal symptom, CT scan, polyp size, and quality of life.

Results: In comparison with the Spanish general population, patients with nasal polyposis had worse scores on all SF-36 domains except for physical functioning. Asthmatic patients with nasal polyposis had worse quality of life than nonasthmatic patients on role physical, body pain, and vitality (p < 0.05). The authors found no significant differences on quality of life, nasal symptoms, polyp size, and CT scan scores between patients with aspirin-tolerant and aspirin-sensitive asthma.

Conclusion: These results suggest that nasal polyposis has a considerable impact on quality of life. Moreover, asthma but not aspirin sensitivity has an additional negative impact on the quality of life of patients with nasal polyposis.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / adverse effects*
  • Aspirin / adverse effects*
  • Asthma / complications*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nasal Obstruction / classification
  • Nasal Obstruction / etiology*
  • Nasal Polyps / complications*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Quality of Life*
  • Sickness Impact Profile*
  • Spain

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Aspirin