Nonallergic rhinitis with eosinophilia syndrome a precursor of the triad: nasal polyposis, intrinsic asthma, and intolerance to aspirin

Abstract

Fifty-two cases of perennial rhinitis were studied, leading to the diagnosis of seven cases of nonallergic rhinitis with eosinophilia syndrome (NARES) a frequency of 13.5%. Symptoms of nasal hyperreactivity involving sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction and pruritus were more severe than in other types of rhinitis. The frequency of hyposmia was very specific to NARES. Nasal endoscopy and sinus CT revealed an evolution towards nasal polyposis in four patients. The nasal challenge to house dust mites showed the absence of any increase in local eosinophilia. Bronchial hyperreactivity to carbachol occurred in one case. There was no case of intolerance to aspirin. There was particular adrenergic hyperreactivity among the seven patients, evidenced by study of the reactivity of the cardiovascular alpha and beta receptors. The authors emphasize the features that are shared by NARES and by the triad, which suggest that NARES is the early phase of the triad. They advance the pathogenic hypothesis of an autonomic nervous system dysregulation with a predominating adrenergic hyperreactivity. Inflammatory effects of local release of neurotransmitters induce a switch from a neurogenic to a self-sustaining inflammation. Tissue eosinophilia is regulated by chemical attractants and activating substances of various origins and plays a major part in the chronic inflammatory state.