Intranasal Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with polyposis.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in nasal biopsy specimens from patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with polyposis versus control patients, and to assess the correlations between H pylori infection identified in the nasal tissue and patients' sociodemographic data and reflux-related symptoms and signs.

METHODS

Nasal biopsy samples were taken from 75 adult patients who underwent nasal surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis with polyposis (clinical group, n = 45) and a deviated septum (control group, n = 30). H pylori infection was identified using histochemical and rapid urease tests.

RESULTS

The prevalence of intranasal H pylori infection was significantly higher in the clinical group (28.9 per cent) compared to the control group (3.3 per cent) (p = 0.005). A significant yet weak association was found between positive H pylori status and laryngopharyngeal reflux related hypertrophy of the posterior commissure of the larynx. No other correlations reached statistical significance.

CONCLUSION

H pylori infection is potentially related to chronic rhinosinusitis with polyposis. Further research is needed to clarify the role of H pylori as a risk factor for the development of sinonasal diseases and to examine its link with laryngopharyngeal reflux.