The value of antifungal therapy in allergic fungal rhinosinusitis

Abstract

Background: Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFS) is considered to part of the disease spectrum of chronic rhinosinusitis, which affects between five to fifteen per cent of the population. Currently, there is uncertainty relating to the pathological process and therefore optimal management of AFS. Studies assessing antifungal use have shown mixed results. The aim of this review is to assess the effect of antifungals on patients with AFS.

Methods: A systematic review of the literature to include all published trials searching Pubmed, Medline (Ovid), CINAHL (EBSCO) and the Cochrane central register of controlled trials (CENTRAL) databases.

Results: Sixteen studies (two systematic reviews, two meta-analysis, four randomised controlled trials, five prospective cohort studies and three retrospective studies) were included in this review. There was found to be no overall benefit of topical or oral antifungals upon endoscopic findings or patient reported outcome measures in AFS. There were no statistically significant differences in adverse effect profiles between treatment and control groups.

Conclusion: There is limited evidence to support the use of topical or oral antifungal agents in patients with AFS. Future research recommendations include large multicentre randomised trials with better matched patient groups and appropriate dosage and timing of antifungals.