Patterns of recurrence in patients with CRSwNP who underwent complete FESS.

Purpose: To analyze recurrence patterns of chronic sinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) in patients who underwent complete FESS and identify predisposing factors for different patterns of recurrence.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients with CRSwNP who underwent complete FESS at our tertiary medical center. Recurrence patterns were classified into edema, polyp and normal endoscopy, as well as into early (within 6 months) and late recurrence. Statistical analysis to identify risk factors for recurrence included univariate, multivariate logistic regression and cox regression models.

Results: 114 patients were included with an average follow-up of 27 months. 91% were categorized as type-2 inflammation. Recurrence was observed in 65.8% of patients within a mean of 12.9 months. 46.7% had polyp recurrence while 53.3% had edema recurrence. Early recurrence was observed in 41%. Serum eosinophilia > 500 cells/uL was found to be significantly associated with recurrence (RR = 1.62, p-value = 0.046), and particularly with polyp recurrence (RR = 3.9, p-value = 0.001). No predictive factors for early recurrence were identified. Edema recurrence was managed with intranasal corticosteroids while polyp recurrence required systemic therapy including biologic therapy.

Conclusions: In this study, two thirds of patients experienced post operative recurrence, either mucosal edema or nasal polyps, with similar frequency during an average follow up of over 2 years. Early recurrence was noted in 41% of recurrent cases. Serum eosinophils > 500 cells/uL was the only risk factor for recurrence on multivariate analysis, more accurate markers are needed for improved treatment allocation to CRSwNP patients.