Can chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps lead to asthma?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am a 37-year-old female. I have CRSwNP and I am taking medications like nasal steroid drops and Cetirizine. This is a question just to seek some information on my level of risk. I have had CRSwNP since I was 23 years old. This is mostly controlled with Flixonase nasal drops. I have had allergy tests many times, and they always come back negative. The only slightly abnormal result in my blood test is my eosinophil count, which is always 0.5 x 10/L. I have a family history. My dad developed adult-onset asthma and nasal polyps when he was at the age of 40. Now that I am coming up to his age and have CRSwNP, I am wondering if I am likely to develop asthma, too. I know that we cannot read the future, but I suppose I wonder about having CRSwNP, am I predisposed to asthma? As in, am I at high risk? Or does having CRSwNP on its own not increase the risk of getting asthma? I have had CRSwNP for 14 years with no signs of asthma if it makes any difference.

Please help.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

According to your statement, you have been suffering from chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). You are now concerned about developing asthma in the near future. You also have a positive family history of asthma, as your dad had asthma. First of all, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps does not develop into asthma, but sinus infection may act as a triggering factor to cause asthma in the long run. It is just a possibility but not a confirmatory result. Similarly, a positive family history also acts as a possibility of developing asthma in the long run, but not confirmatory. At present, you are well controlled along with your symptoms. So do not be worried at all. Actually, no one predicts the future. So, it is not like your chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, along with a positive family history, will act as a triggering factor for developing asthma in the near future. Do not be worried at all. Just try to control your present symptoms like now, and that is all.

I hope I have answered your question.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take care.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I went through your query and understood your concern.

Yes, rhino sinusitis or polyp can aggravate or initiate asthma. People with rhino sinusitis and nasal polyps are more prone to develop asthma than people without rhino sinusitis and nasal polyps. If you can hold the severity of these diseases like rhino sinusitis and nasal polyps or control the symptoms of these diseases for a long time, then they may not act as triggering factors for developing asthma.

Citrus fruits or vitamin C-containing products will help boost your immune system and make it strong enough to fight against the common cold, allergies, or asthma. On the other hand, anxiety can weaken your immune system and make you more prone to develop any kind of disease. You should avoid your anxiety regarding developing asthma in the long run as you have rhino sinusitis and nasal polyps as well as a positive family history.

According to the severity of the disease, blood picture results, such as eosinophil count, may vary. You should avoid anxiety, colds, and dust and continue your current medications, and that's all. Nobody can predict the future. Take plenty of vitamin C-containing fruits regularly, and that will help you to increase your immune system against the triggering factors.

Take care.

I hope I have answered your question.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Thank you.