Quantifying corticosteroid burden in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps: A retrospective US database study

Area of Science:

• Medical research
• Pulmonology
• Otolaryngology

Background:

• Limited real-world data exists on systemic corticosteroid (SCS) use in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP).
• Understanding SCS burden is crucial for managing CRSwNP patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the real-world burden of SCS in CRSwNP.
• To analyze SCS use, healthcare resource utilization, and costs.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study using the Optum Research Database (January 2015-July 2020).
• Included patients with a first medical claim for CRSwNP.
• Analyzed outcomes over a 12-month follow-up period, stratified by asthma and surgery status.

Main Results:

• 64.7% of patients used all-cause SCS; 36.0% had oral corticosteroid (OCS) bursts.
• SCS use and OCS bursts were higher in patients with asthma and those undergoing sinus surgery.
• Healthcare costs increased significantly with the number of sinus surgeries.

Conclusions:

• Systemic corticosteroid use imposes a significant burden on CRSwNP patients.
• Comorbid asthma and sinus surgeries increase SCS exposure and associated costs.
• Reducing SCS exposure is necessary for managing CRSwNP.