Publication:

Epidemiology of nasal polyps in hilly areas and its risk factors

Background Nasal polyps are common nasal disorders with unknown etiology and high recurrence and high prevalence of 1-4% which affect the quality of patient life. The aim of the study was to find out the prevalence of nasal polyps in our hilly region and find out its etiological or risk factors for better prevention and cure of the disease.

Methods 60 patients with nasal polyps were included in this study and were assessed for age and sex distribution, types of polyps, main clinical symptoms and their duration, their major etiological or risk factors through detailed history taking, physical and nasal examination, anterior and posterior rhinoscopy, diagnostic nasal endoscopy and computerized tomography scan.

Results Nasal polyps are more common in males and in middle age group. Most of the common types are bilateral and ethmoidal polyps. Most of the patients were symptomatic with nasal obstruction and nasal discharge as main symptoms. There was strong correlation between nasal polyps and recurrent nasal infection, allergy and asthma. In this region we found familial inheritance of this disease and high rate of polyp recurrence after medical or surgical therapy.

Conclusions Nasal polyps are common in hilly region with high rate of recurrence with nasal infection, allergy and asthma being the important etiological factors.