Background: The physiopathogenic mechanism of nasal polyposis is unknown. Chemical mediators found in nasal polyposis are: histamine, serotonin, leukotrienes (LTC4, LTD4, LTE4, LTB4), norepinephrine and possibly prostaglandin D2. Leukotrienes that mediate bronchoconstriction as well as chemical mediators of inflammation are observed in the nasal disease associated to polyposis.
Hypothesis: Antileukotrienes might play a significant role in controlling polyposis and symptoms due to sinonasal disease. They represent an alternative to conventional treatments with oral steroids as well as to operations in the long-term control.
Objective: This study is a one year investigation that evaluates the important role of leukotriene receptor antagonists on nasal polyposis, with or without association to any allergic disease. Likewise, it compares its use with the conventional therapy used in the above mentioned disease.
Patients and methods: We included 30 patients, 12 men (40%) and 18 women (60%), with ages between 16-45 years old. The mean age was of 20.7 years. Systematic assessments were made at the beginning of the study, as well as in the third, sixth, ninth, and twelfth month. Objective assessments, computed axial tomography of paranasal sinuses, allergological tests, nasal and bronchial symptoms evaluation, and interleukines, eosinophils, and immunoglobulin determinations were made.
Results: There was an improvement of nasal symptoms in the patients of group 1 (montelukast plus beclomethasone). They included the respiratory ones (p < 0.05), the nasal washing cells (p < 0.05), and the peak flow (p < 0.05) at the third, sixth, and twelfth months, respectively. There was no significant difference with the improvement obtained in the patients of group 3 (surgery-montelukast-beclomethasone) (p < 0.05). There was no significant change in group 2 regarding the baseline in the studied variables (p > 0.05).