Dietary modifications for refractory chronic rhinosinusitis? Manipulating diet for the modulation of inflammation

Association Between Dietary Factors and Chronic Sinusitis Among Korean Individuals: Insights From a Large Population-Based Study in Asia

Objective: Population-based studies on chronic sinusitis have predominantly focused on Europe and the Americas, but research on chronic sinusitis within large Asian populations remains scarce. This study aims to explore the link between dietary factors and chronic sinusitis among ethnic Koreans in Asia. Design: A cross-sectional study. Setting: Data were collected from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) in 2012. Participants: Participants in the study were included based on a doctor's diagnosis of chronic sinusitis, as determined through the ear, nose, and throat examination questionnaires. Results: Adolescents [adjusted P value (aP) < .001, adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.881, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.380-2.564] and individuals with college and higher education (aP = .042, aOR = 1.298, 95% CI = 1.009-1.669) were more likely to develop chronic rhinosinusitis. In addition, levels of dietary fat [P = .001, interquartile range (IQR) = 34.085] and energy intake (P = .004, IQR = 981.106) were associated with an increased risk of chronic sinusitis. Moreover, high dietary inflammatory index (aP < .001, aOR = 0.547, 95% CI = 0.415-0.721), and high intake of fried pork chops (aP = .028, aOR = 1.335, 95% CI = 1.033-1.777), bread (aP = .024, aOR = 1.364, 95% CI = 1.042-1.786), and rice (aP = .021, aOR = 1.382, 95% CI = 1.051-1.818) were risk factors for chronic sinusitis, while cucumber consumption (aP < .001, aOR = 0.547, 95% CI = 0.415-0.721) was a protective factor for chronic sinusitis. Conclusion: This study revealed a significant correlation between diet and development of chronic sinusitis. These findings suggest that promoting an anti-inflammatory dietary pattern and providing guidance on healthy eating habits could help reduce the incidence of chronic sinusitis and enhance its management.

Dietary habits, physical activity, and self-reported rhinosinusitis in children and adolescents

Background

Pediatric paranasal rhinosinusitis is one of the more common pediatric diseases of the upper respiratory tract and it entails significant morbidity. Most commonly, it is caused by a viral infection of the nasal mucosa, which spreads through the natural passages within the cavities of the paranasal sinuses, leading to inflammation of the mucosa that lines the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses.

Methods

The objective of this cohort study was to assess whether there is a correlation between pediatric rhinosinusitis, physical activity, and selected dietary habits among pupils aged 6 to 16 years from elementary schools in Wrocław, Poland. This study - as part of the pro-health program "Let us Get the Kids Moving" - is also aimed at establishing factors that potentially predispose children to developing RS. The survey study was conducted on a group of 2,458 children and adolescents from elementary schools in Wrocław. The age of the examined children ranged from 6 to 17 years (mean = 10.8 years; standard deviation = 2.7).

Results

Rhinosinusitis was more common in the children aged 13-17 years than in those aged 6-9 years (6.4% vs. 1.5%; p < 0.001) or 10-12 years (6.4 vs. 2.6%; p < 0.001). The study revealed a significant positive correlation between rhinosinusitis development and several variables: age > 11 years, attending swimming classes fewer than 1-2 times a week, using a computer, consuming milk, salty snacks, and carbonated sweet drinks, consuming fruit fewer than 1-2 times a week, not attending physical education classes, eating fewer than 4 meals, and not eating breakfast at home (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

It is of great importance to establish preventive measures against recurrent upper respiratory tract infections that may predispose children to rhinosinusitis. Introducing healthier, traditional dietary habits and regular physical activity in children and adolescents may result in normal and adequate immune response and proper functioning of the inflammatory control system.

Role of probiotics in chronic rhinosinusitis: a systematic review of randomised, controlled trials

OBJECTIVE

This review evaluated the safety profile and efficacy of probiotics in chronic rhinosinusitis and was registered with Prospero (Centre for Reviews and Dissemination number: 42020193529).

METHOD

Literature databases were searched through inception to August 2022. Randomised, controlled trials exploring adjunctive probiotics in adult chronic rhinosinusitis patients were included. From 948 records screened, 4 randomised, controlled trials were included.

RESULTS

Probiotics-associated adverse effects comprised epistaxis and abdominal pain. No reduction in Sino-Nasal Outcome Test values before 4 weeks (p = 0.58) or beyond 8 weeks (p = 0.08) of treatment or reduction of severe symptom frequency (p = 0.75) was observed. Symptom relapse in probiotic-treated patients was significantly lower across all timepoints (p = 0.045). Lower sinusitis relapse risks during treatment (risk ratio = 0.49; p = 0.019) and 8 months post-treatment (risk ratio = 0.56, p = 0.013) were observed. Probiotics demonstrated potential in improving Sino-Nasal Outcome Test symptom subscales, including sleep, psychological and rhinology subscales.

CONCLUSION

The optimal mode of probiotic administration, treatment duration and target patient subgroups requires further study to evaluate the utility of probiotics.

Influence of the Microbiome on Chronic Rhinosinusitis With and Without Polyps: An Evolving Discussion

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is widely prevalent within the population and often leads to decreased quality of life, among other related health complications. CRS has classically been stratified by the presence of nasal polyps (CRSwNP) or the absence nasal polyps (CRSsNP). Management of these conditions remains a challenge as investigators continue to uncover potential etiologies and therapeutic targets. Recently, attention has been given to the sinunasal microbiota as both an inciting and protective influence of CRS development. The healthy sinunasal microbiologic environment is largely composed of bacteria, with the most frequent strains including Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus epidermidis, and Corynebacterium genera. Disruptions in this milieu, particularly increases in S. aureus concentration, have been hypothesized to perpetuate both Th1 and Th2 inflammatory changes within the nasal mucosa, leading to CRS exacerbation and potential polyp formation. Other contributors to the sinunasal microbiota include fungi, viruses, and bacteriophages which may directly contribute to underlying inflammation or impact bacterial prevalence. Modifiable risk factors, such as smoking, have also been linked to microbiota alterations. Research interest in CRS continues to expand, and thus the goal of this review is to provide clinicians and investigators alike with a current discussion on the microbiologic influence on CRS development, particularly with respect to the expression of various phenotypes. Although this subject is rapidly evolving, a greater understanding of these potential factors may lead to novel research and targeted therapies for this often difficult to treat condition.

Effect of low salicylate diet on clinical and inflammatory markers in patients with aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease - a randomized crossover trial

Background

Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) is characterized by eosinophilic rhinosinusitis, nasal polyposis, and bronchial asthma, along with the onset of respiratory reactions after the ingestion of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). In addition to the therapeutic routines and surgical options available, a low dietary intake of food salicylate has been suggested as adjunctive therapy for this condition.

This study aimed to assess the influence of a short-term low salicylate diet on inflammatory markers in patients with AERD and whether that would result in symptomatic improvement.

Methods

Prospective study with randomization to either a high or low salicylate diet for 1 week, followed by cross-over to the other study arm. Participants were asked to record their dietary salicylate for each week of the study. Urinary creatinine, salicylate and leukotriene levels were measured at the time of recruitment, end of week one and end of week two and the SNOT-22 questionnaire was filled out at the same time points.

Results

A total of seven participants completed the study. There was no statistical difference in the urinary salicylate and leukotriene levels between the two diets; nevertheless, participants on low salicylate diet reported improved SNOT-22 symptoms scores (p = 0.04), mainly in the rhinologic, ear/facial, and sleep dysfunction symptom domains. In addition, these last two domains outcomes were more significant than the minimal clinically important difference.

Conclusions

A short-term low salicylate diet may not result in biochemical outcomes changes but seems to provide significant symptomatic relief for patients with AERD.

Trial registration

NCT01778465 (www.clinicaltrials.gov)

Graphical abstract

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40463-021-00502-4.

Application of probiotics in adjuvant treatment of infant allergic rhinitis: A randomized controlled study

BACKGROUND

Several studies have suggested that intestinal flora may play an important role in allergic diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of probiotics of Bifidobacterium triplex on the symptoms of allergic rhinitis (AR). The effects of this probiotic on the immune system have been reported in some studies, but most previous studies have been in animals.

METHODS/DESIGN

60 infants and young children with AR were randomly divided into 2 groups: probiotics/placebo group. The main outcome was the use of a comprehensive symptom drug score to assess allergy symptoms. In addition, health-related quality of life was investigated (rhinitis quality of life questionnaire). Secondary outcomes included a visual analog scale of allergy burden and a second quality of life questionnaire. This report describes the study design of a randomized controlled trial.

DISCUSSION

The study design described a double-center, randomized, location at the Minda Hospital of Hubei Minzu University and West China Hospital of Sichuan University, which will be focused on the study about probiotics treatment and its effect on AR symptoms.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

It has been registered at http://www.chictr.org.cn/listbycreater.aspx (Identifier: ChiCTR2000031175), Registered March 22, 2020.

Latest advances in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps endotyping and biomarkers, and their significance for daily practice

The term chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) comprises of an assortment of diseases that share a common feature: inflammation of the sinonasal mucosa. The phenotype classification of CRS, based on the presence of polyps, has failed to offer a curative treatment for the disease, particularly in refractory cases. Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) remains a challenging entity. Researchers have made efforts trying to characterize subtypes of the disease according to the endotypes, which are delineated by different immunological pathways, using biomarkers. Even if the inflammatory processes controlling CRSwNP are not fully understood, data suggested that the disease associated with a type 2 inflammatory mechanisms can be also linked to the type 1 or type 3 pathomechanism, being highly heterogeneous. Biomarkers for CRSwNP are proposed, such as: eosinophil count, cytokines, metalloproteinases, bitter and sweet taste receptors, and the nasal microbiome. For endotyping to be clinically applicable and simply determined, biomarkers referring to the intrinsic biomolecular mechanism still need to be found. Precision medicine is becoming the new standard of care, but innovative therapies such as biologics may be rather challenging for the clinicians in their daily practice. This new approach to CRSwNP implies patient selection and a simple algorithm for deciding the right treatment, easy to implement and adjust. Our review points out the ongoing new research on the pathophysiology of CRSwNP, biomarkers and treatment opportunities. It allows clinicians to keep abreast of current evidence-based knowledge and to individualize the management of CRSwNP, especially in refractory cases.

Aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease: Current topics and trends

Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease is a chronic and treatment-resistant disease, characterized by the presence of eosinophilic rhinosinusitis, nasal polyposis, bronchial asthma, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs hypersensitivity. Alterations in arachidonic acid metabolism may induce an imbalance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory substances, expressed as an overproduction of cysteinyl leukotrienes and an underproduction of prostaglandin E2. Although eosinophils play a key role, recent studies have shown the importance of other cells and molecules in the development of the disease like mast cells, basophils, lymphocytes, platelets, neutrophils, macrophages, epithelial respiratory cells, IL-33 and thymic stromal lymphopoietin, making each of them promissory diagnostic and treatment targets. In this review, we summarize the most important clinical aspects of the disease, including the current topics about diagnosis and treatment, like provocation challenges and aspirin desensitization. We also discuss recent findings in the pathogenesis of the disease, as well as future trends in diagnosis and treatment, including monoclonal antibodies and a low salicylate diet as a treatment option.

Do Aging Factors Influence the Clinical Presentation and Management of Chronic Rhinosinusitis?

Objective/Hypothesis Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a complex inflammatory disease of the upper respiratory airways resulting from the dysregulation of immunity and epithelial defenses. More recently, the contribution of an altered nasal microbiome to the development of CRS has also been proposed. However, the impact of aging on the development of CRS has been long overlooked. Here we propose, in a hypothesis piece, that aging can influence the physiopathology of CRS and its subsequent management in an elderly population. Data Sources We summarize the recent literature findings supporting that elderly patients with CRS could be a distinct population from those with adult CRS and might require different or adjunct therapeutic approaches. Methods Review of recent literature of the effect of aging and its possible effects in CRS using 3 different databases. Conclusions Age-dependent decrease in the levels of the S100 family proteins involved in epithelial proliferation, repair, and defenses combined with chronic inflammation might lead to an increased risk of abnormal microbial colonization and loss of microbiota diversity. Ultimately, these changes could have the potential to alter the physiopathology of CRS in the elderly. Implications Unlike in adults, in whom CRS T_h2-skewed responses with eosinophilia are thought to play a critical role, in aging populations, a microbiome and epithelial barrier dysfunctions may instead be the pivotal agents of disease development and persistence. This supports that therapies for elderly patients may require a different management or additional targeted therapies to control the disease. Prospective studies, however, are necessary to validate this concept.

A role for auto-immunity in chronic rhinosinusitis? Lessons learned from sub-epidermal bullous disorders of the skin

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a frequent chronic condition, which has origins in complex interactions between genetic, immunological and microbial factors. The role of auto-immunity in CRS remains unclear, although recent studies have started to emerge in CRS patient refractory to maximal medical management. We discuss the possible auto-immunity link between CRS and other skin diseases, in particular acquired bullous dermatoses, and review the current evidence. We raise additional considerations for auto-immunity from both research and clinical standpoints.