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An open audit of montelukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist, in nasal polyposis associated with asthma
Author(s) -
Ragab S.,
Parikh A.,
Darby Y. C.,
Scadding G. K.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
clinical and experimental allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.462
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1365-2222
pISSN - 0954-7894
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2222.2001.01160.x
Subject(s) - montelukast , medicine , acoustic rhinometry , asthma , aspirin , anesthesia , exhaled nitric oxide , nasal polyps , nitric oxide , gastroenterology , nose , surgery , spirometry
Background Nasal polyposis occurs frequently in patients with intrinsic asthma, especially in those who are aspirin sensitive. It can be difficult to treat effectively, even with surgery and regular topical intranasal corticosteroids many patients are still symptomatic. Objective To investigate the response to montelukast, a leukotriene D 4 receptor antagonist, as an add‐on therapy to topical and inhaled corticosteroids in patients, both aspirin sensitive (AS) and aspirin tolerant (AT), with nasal polyposis and asthma. Methods Nasal polyposis symptoms were assessed by visual analogue scales; nasal polyps were assessed by nasendoscopy and via the measurement of nasal volumes by acoustic rhinometry. The nasal airway was assessed by nasal inspiratory peakflow (NIPF). Asthma was monitored using symptom scores and peak expiratory flow measurements. Aspirin sensitivity was assessed by history together with intranasal lysine aspirin challenge. Upper and lower airway nitric oxide measurements were made before and during treatment. Results Clinical subjective improvement in nasal polyposis occurred in 64% AT ( P < 0.01), patients and 50% AS patients ( P > 0.05); asthma improvement in 87% AT and 61% AS patients ( P < 0.05 for both). Objective changes in peak flow occurred only in AT patients ( P < 0.05). Acoustic rhinometry, nasal inspiratory peak flow and nitric oxide levels did not change significantly in any group, however, correlations were seen between nitric oxide levels and polyp scores and between nitric oxide levels and acoustic rhinometry changes. Improvement on montelukast therapy was not associated with any of the following variables: age, sex, skin prick test positivity, disease duration or aspirin sensitivity. ( P > 0.05 for all). Conclusion The findings are consistent with a subgroup of nasal polyps/asthma patients in whom leukotriene receptor antagonists are effective. This is not related to aspirin sensitivity. Further placebo‐controlled studies need to be undertaken.