Azar, Antoine

Abstract Background In the 5 years that have passed since the publication of the 2018 International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Allergic Rhinitis (ICAR‐Allergic Rhinitis 2018), the literature has expanded substantially. The ICAR‐Allergic Rhinitis 2023 update presents 144 individual topics on allergic rhinitis (AR), expanded by over 40 topics from the 2018 document. Originally presented topics from 2018 have also been reviewed and updated. The executive summary highlights key evidence‐based findings and recommendation from the full document. Methods ICAR‐Allergic Rhinitis 2023 employed established evidence‐based review with recommendation (EBRR) methodology to individually evaluate each topic. Stepwise iterative peer review and consensus was performed for each topic. The final document was then collated and includes the results of this work. Results ICAR‐Allergic Rhinitis 2023 includes 10 major content areas and 144 individual topics related to AR. For a substantial proportion of topics included, an aggregate grade of evidence is presented, which is determined by collating the levels of evidence for each available study identified in the literature. For topics in which a diagnostic or therapeutic intervention is considered, a recommendation summary is presented, which considers the aggregate grade of evidence, benefit, harm, and cost. Conclusion The ICAR‐Allergic Rhinitis 2023 update provides a comprehensive evaluation of AR and the currently available evidence. It is this evidence that contributes to our current knowledge base and recommendations for patient evaluation and treatment.

BackgroundRevision surgery rates following endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) range between 7% and 50% and are influenced by many factors. This study investigates ESS outcomes for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) subtypes.MethodsRetrospective review of adult CRS patients undergoing ESS with a single surgeon (2010‐2015) was conducted. Outcomes were analyzed by CRS subtypes.ResultsESS was performed in 424 CRS patients (CRS with nasal polyps [CRSwNP], n = 170; CRS without polyps [CRSsNP], n = 254). Most patients (309; 72.9%) could not be specifically subtyped; 115 (27.1%) were subtyped as follows: aspirin‐exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD), n = 47 (11.1%); allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS), n = 39 (9.2%); immunodeficiency, n = 21 (5.0%); granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), n = 5 (1.2%); and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), n = 3 (0.7%). All subgroups experienced clinically meaningful reduction in postoperative 22‐item Sino‐Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT‐22) scores. At median follow‐up of 28 months (interquartile range [IQR], 10–47 months), 19 patients (4%) underwent revision ESS (CRSwNP, n = 6; CRSsNP, n = 13). Revision ESS rates were 3.5% and 5.1% for CRSwNP and CRSsNP, respectively. Revision ESS rate for subtypes were: AERD 2%; AFS 2%; immunodeficiency 14%; GPA 40%; EGPA 0%; and “all other CRS” 4% at median follow‐up duration of 36, 28, 41, 37, 44, and 26 months, respectively.ConclusionAll CRS subtypes demonstrated clinically meaningful improvement in postoperative SNOT‐22 scores following ESS. Our overall revision ESS rate was 4% (3.5% in CRSwNP). AFS, AERD, and EGPA groups demonstrated low revision rates, while immunodeficiency and GPA patients required more revision surgery. A contemporary understanding of CRSwNP subtypes facilitated surgical and medical strategies in improving outcomes for AERD, AFS, and EGPA patients. CRSsNP subtypes with immunodeficiency and GPA merit further investigation to optimize outcomes.

Background We previously presented that women with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) who elected endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) have a higher symptom burden than men. Causes of these gender-based differences warranted further study. Objectives To study gender differences in another cohort of adult patients with CRS who underwent ESS and to compare key histopathologic and serologic features Methods Patients with CRS who underwent ESS (from 2011 to 2014) with structured histopathology reports on surgical samples were studied. The 13-item structured histopathology report detailed key metrics of inflammation and the presence of fungal elements. Clinical, 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) score, Lund-Mackay computed tomography (CT) score, serologic (immunoglobulin E [IgE] level, absolute eosinophil count) and histopathologic data were compared between male and female patients by using statistical software. Results We studied 130 eligible subjects (mean age, 54.7 years; 49.2% women). Compared with the men, the women had significantly higher preoperative SNOT-22 scores (women, 48.7; men 38.0 [p = 0.004]) but similar CT scores. Serum IgE levels were significantly higher among women versus men (peak, 433.3 versus 190.8 kU/L [p = 0.03]; closest to surgery, 435.0 versus 190.8 kU/L [p = 0.03]). Tissue fungal elements were significantly more prevalent in women versus men (19.0 versus 5.2%; p = 0.02). Up to this point, the analysis was agnostic of clinical details of the subjects. Further analysis was conducted regarding clinical features. Allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS) was found significantly more commonly in the female versus male patients (21.9 versus 9.1%; p = 0.04). Women versus men had a higher prevalence of migraine (19.4 versus 4.6%; p = 0.01) or any primary headache disorders (23.0 versus 6.2%; p = 0.007). Conclusion Women who underwent ESS for CRS had higher SNOT-22 symptom burden. Worsened symptomatology may be secondary to a higher prevalence of primary headache disorders in women. However, surgeons should also be aware that female patients with CRS who seek ESS may have a higher prevalence of severe disease endotypes (more tissue fungal elements, elevated serum IgE levels) and phenotypes.