The comparison of histopathological characteristics of polyps in asthmatic and nonasthmatic patients

Abstract

Introduction: Considering the different clinical aspects of polyps in asthmatic and nonasthmatic patients, we aimed to explore their histopathological characteristics. Material and Methods: Twenty-five asthmatic patients and 25 nonasthmatic patients with polypoid chronic rhinosinusitis (29 male, 21 female; mean age 41.3 ± 13.27; range 15-78 years) were enrolled in the study to be compared on the basis of histopathological characteristics. They were compared according to the following seven light microscopic findings: basement membrane thickness, goblet cell hyperplasia, subepithelial edema, submucous gland formation, eosinophilic infiltration, lymphocytic infiltration, and polymorphonuclear infiltration. Results: Basement membrane thickening, goblet cell hyperplasia, and eosinophilic and lymphocytic infiltration were more prominent in the asthmatic compared with the nonasthmatic group ( P < 0.05), whereas polymorphonuclear infiltration was more prominent in nonasthmatics ( P < 0.05). No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups with regard to submucosal gland hyperplasia or subepithelial edema. Conclusion: Asthmatic patients present histopathological characteristics of a marked chronic inflammatory reaction, which might explain the negative effect on chronic rhinosinusitis outcome and the severity of the disease in this group.