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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Allergy
Sec. Rhinology
Volume 5 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/falgy.2024.1519069

Olfactory impairment in Italian patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps: a patient-centered survey

Provisionally accepted
Francesca Anastasi Francesca Anastasi 1*Frank Canevari Frank Canevari 2Stefania Gallo Stefania Gallo 3Giulia Gramellini Giulia Gramellini 4Enrico Heffler Enrico Heffler 5Ignazio La Mantia Ignazio La Mantia 6Giulia Monti Giulia Monti 3Martina Ragusa Martina Ragusa 6Alberto Macchi Alberto Macchi 3
  • 1 Ospedale San Giovanni Evangelista, Tivoli, Italy
  • 2 Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
  • 3 University of Insubria, Varese, Lombardia, Italy
  • 4 Niguarda Ca' Granda Hospital, Milan, Lombardy, Italy
  • 5 Humanitas University, Rozzano, Italy
  • 6 University of Catania, Catania, Sicily, Italy

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is an inflammatory condition characterized by persistent nasal obstruction, discharge, facial pressure, and olfactory dysfunction. CRSwNP significantly impairs quality of life (QoL), with olfactory loss being a particularly distressing symptom that affects food enjoyment, personal safety, and social interactions.Methods: This study investigated the experiences of Italian patients with CRSwNP. A crosssectional quantitative and qualitative survey (Google Forms questionnaire), collecting data on diagnosis, symptomatology, QoL impact, and treatment experiences was developed and distributed.Results: There were 155 respondents, with over half diagnosed with CRSwNP for more than a decade. Nasal obstruction was the primary symptom leading to medical consultation. Corticosteroid therapy and surgery showed limited and variable effectiveness in olfactory restoration. Biologic therapy, particularly dupilumab, demonstrated promising results, with approximately half of the patients reporting complete smell restoration.CRSwNP significantly affected patients' QoL, with olfactory dysfunction being a common and impactful symptom. While current treatments provide symptom relief, they do not always result in sustained olfactory improvement. Biologic therapy emerged as a promising option for olfactory restoration, underscoring the importance of personalized treatment strategies. Further research is warranted to explore the mechanisms of olfactory recovery and to optimize treatment protocols for CRSwNP.

    Keywords: biologic therapy, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, CRSwNP, Dupilumab, olfactory restoration, Smell

    Received: 29 Oct 2024; Accepted: 09 Dec 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Anastasi, Canevari, Gallo, Gramellini, Heffler, La Mantia, Monti, Ragusa and Macchi. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Francesca Anastasi, Ospedale San Giovanni Evangelista, Tivoli, Italy

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.