[Prevalence of intolerance to salicylates in patients with nasal polyposis].

BACKGROUND

Salicylates intolerance is related to alteration in the metabolism of arachidonic acid leading to increased leukotrienes. The condition may be manifested with respiratory, skin or systemic symptoms or associated with sinonasal polyposis. Salicylates are present in anti-inflammatory drugs, cosmetics products and food.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of salicylates intolerance in patients with sinonasal polyposis presenting to Clinical Immunology and Allergy and Otolaryngology Service, CMN 20 Noviembre, Mexico City.

METHODS

An observational, descriptive, cross sectional study included patients with sinonasal polyposis. The sample size was 49 patients, and variables were compared using STATISTICA 8.0.

RESULTS

The prevalence of sinonasal polyposis was 4% of the study group, predominantly in females; only 24% of the population had an ideal weight, the salicylates intolerance prevalence was 53%, and the Samter triad was 31%.

CONCLUSIONS

Sinonasal polyposis has an inflammatory disease pattern. Its pathophysiology is not yet fully established and in this study was related to obesity and persistent sinusitis. The most feared complication recurrence is associated with salicylates intolerance. The study found a slight increase of recurrence in the group of intolerance, with no statistically significant difference, possibly related to the sample size.