Influence of nasal corticosteroid therapy duration on its efficiency at nasal polyposis

Abstract

Efficacy of fluticasone propionate (FP) – Flixonase, GSK, in 76 patients with nasal polyposis (NP) was studied. After the first 3-month trial phase (FP 400 mcg / day), 46 patients (the 1 st group) have continued the 12-month treatment with FP 200 mcg / day, and 23 patients (the 2-nd group) have stopped the therapy with nasal steroids. Intensity of nasal symptoms using a 4-point scale, need for topical vasoconstrictors, rhinometric ventilation parameters (nasal inspiratory flow, NIF, nasal resistance, NR) and endoscopic symptoms were evaluated every 3 months. Trial results showed various shifts in clinical and functional parameters in the compared groups. The intensity of NP symptoms in the 1-st group decreased and reached the minimal level in 6 to 12 months, NIF rate reduced and NR decreased while reaching the normal values after 12 months of the FP therapy. The 2-nd patient group had a considerable worsening of the NP symptoms and in the functional parameters of the nasal breath within 3 months after FP cancellation. After 6 month follow up these indices did not differ essentially from those at the baseline condition. Thus, the early FP cancellation can cause instability of clinical effect and fast recurrence to the initial status. Long-term (for several months) therapy of NP with decrease in the FP dose in 3 months not only can keep the achieved results, but also allows to improve them considerably.