Chronic sinusitis is treated with atopic injectionsOtolaryngologist Daewoo Kim

Chronic sinusitis is treated with atopic injectionsOtolaryngologist Daewoo Kim

Dec 18, 2024Ehotyshamull Joy

 

 

What is sinusitis?

 

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the nasal passages and sinuses* inside the nose. Many patients with chronic sinusitis suffer from nasal congestion and olfactory disturbances. It is even more uncomfortable because relapses are frequent and treatment is not well done.

*Sinus: This is the cavity that connects to the nasal cavity and contains air.

 

In the West, if there is a nodule in the nasal cavity, about 80~90% of patients are diagnosed with chronic sinusitis type 2. In Korea, about 40~50% of cases are chronic sinusitis type 2, and the incidence rate is increasing.

 

Diagnosis of chronic sinusitis

 

Diagnosis of chronic sinusitis requires two things:

 

The first is a subjective symptom. Symptoms of chronic sinusitis appear as either nasal congestion or runny nose that persists for more than 12 weeks. Here, the mucus is usually watery, that is, sticky, yellowish mucus rather than clear mucus. In addition, patients may complain of anosmia and facial pain.

 

Second, objective evidence. If an otolaryngologist observes findings such as water nodules or inflammation through nasal endoscopy or CT scan, it can be said that it is worthy of objective findings.

 

Sinusitis and sinusitis

 

In the past, sinusitis was also called sinusitis. Sinusitis is actually a subcategory of sinusitis.

 

Sinusitis exists in two forms of inflammation. The first is sinusitis associated with allergies, and the second is sinusitis associated with a bacterial infection. Here, sinusitis associated with a bacterial infection is what we commonly call sinusitis. Because allergy-related sinusitis is caused by a type 2 inflammatory response, it is scientifically called chronic sinusitis type 2.

 

The Problem of Chronic Sinusitis

 

Chronic sinusitis can lead to chronic nasal congestion. Nasal congestion is especially worse at night. Not only is it difficult to fall asleep, but it is also accompanied by symptoms such as sleep apnea because you are breathing through your mouth. As a result, some patients develop tonsillitis in the throat, which interferes with their lives.

 

Treatment of sinusitis

 

The main principle of treatment of sinusitis is drug treatment. And surgical treatment is performed when there is no improvement in symptoms after sufficient drug treatment. Types of medications include intranasal steroid sprays, oral antibiotics, oral steroids, and nasal irrigation. Surgery is performed by non-endoscopic sinus surgery using an endoscope.

 

Sinusitis and atopic dermatitis injections

 

Did you know that injections commonly used for atopic dermatitis are also used for chronic sinusitis type 2 associated with allergies? Asthma, atopic dermatitis, and chronic sinusitis type 2 have similar causes. Interleukin-4 and interleukin-13 are substances that cause allergies, allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma, and chronic sinusitis. By inhibiting the receptors of these substances, atopic dermatitis medications improve the symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis and reduce accompanying symptoms such as asthma and atopic dermatitis.

 

Medications for atopic dermatitis use ingredients called monoclonal antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies are proteins that are made to resemble immunoglobulins in the body and are aligned in structure with the receptors of allergens. This prevents inflammatory substances from attaching to the receptors, thereby improving the symptoms of allergies.

 

Chronic sinusitis is difficult to completely cure olfactory disorders even with surgery, and comorbidities do not improve sufficiently in the presence of atopic dermatitis. However, this treatment is very effective in improving these olfactory disorders and comorbidities.

 

Precautions for Atopic Dermatitis Injections

 

Monoclonal antibodies used to treat atopic dermatitis are proteins present in our body, so they do not have any major side effects. In particular, the side effects that can be life-threatening or cause serious problems are not yet known.

 

The threshold is that the price of the treatment can be burdensome. This is because, so far, chronic rhinosinusitis is not covered by insurance. If you use the treatment once a month, it will cost you close to 700,000 won. If you administer it steadily for one year, it can exceed 10 million won. Therefore, patients who need it will need a strategy to monitor their symptoms and use them at appropriate intervals.

 

Effectiveness of injections for atopic dermatitis

 

This treatment is mainly used by patients whose comorbidities have not improved with conventional surgery or drug treatment. About 80~90% of patients experience dramatic effects. Among them, 60~70% continue to receive treatment. They say that there are people who haven't been hit, but no one has been hit once. If the cost issue is solved, it is likely that there will be a change as the main treatment for chronic sinusitis type 2.

 

 

 



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