Serum leptin levels in patients with nasal polyposis.

BACKGROUND

Nasal polyposis is one of the most common inflammatory pathologies of the nasal cavity. The aetiopathogenetic mechanisms of nasal polyp formation are still unclear.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate the serum leptin levels in patients with nasal polyposis.

DESIGN

A randomised, prospective study was performed of 28 adult patients with nasal polyposis and 22 control subjects of a similar age, sex and body mass index.

RESULTS

Serum leptin levels were 12.10 +/- 9.39 ng/ml in the nasal polyposis patients and 6.17 +/- 7.68 ng/ml in the controls. A significant difference (p = 0.021) was observed in the mean serum leptin levels between nasal polyposis patients and controls.

CONCLUSION

Serum leptin levels were found to be significantly higher in patients with nasal polyposis. Leptin, apart from its primary role in the regulation of body weight and energy expenditure, may have a role in the inflammatory response of nasal polyposis.