gms | German Medical Science

Introduction: Nasal polyps (NPs) are characterized by high recurrence rates despite medical andsurgical treatment. Recently, it has been shown that exposure of NPs to ultraviolet light (UV) results in induction of apoptosis of inflammatory cells. A pilot feasibility study was performed to assess the clinical efficacy and tolerability of phototherapy and to identify the clinical effective UV dose range on NPs.

Method/study design: In six Hungarian Center was organised a clinical study. It was conducted in subjects with bilateral grade 1-2 NPs. Patients were exposed of Rhinolight (mixed UVB/UVA) intranasal phototherapy over a 12 week period (3 exposures) and they used intranasal steroid (mometason furoat-400ug/die). In the control group the patines get only local sterod spray. The follow up period was 3 month after the phototherapy.

Subjects rated their nasal obstruction symptom scores weekly on a visual analogue scale from 0 to 6. The NOSE quality of life questionnaire was used at baseline and end of treatment period. Adverse events and the polyp stage were monitored by endoscopy. It was evalueted the nasal air flow by nasal inspiratory peak flow meter and acustic rhinometry. It was measured the smell function by Pennsylvania Smell Threshold Test.

Result: All symptoms and nasal airflow improved significant at end of treatment compared to control group and it staid durng the follow up periodi. Improvement of quality of life (NOSE) at end of treatment compared to control was also noted. Treatments were well tolerated and no device related adverse events were reported. The results suggest that phototherapy may represent a potential new treatment option in NPs.