A prospective study comparing Itraconazole and systemic steroids as an adjunct to topical steroids in the post-operative management of Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis

Title: A prospective study comparing Itraconazole and systemic steroids as an adjunct to topical steroids in the post-operative management of Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis ABSTRACT Objectives The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of Itraconazole and systemic steroids as an adjuvant to topical steroids in post-operative patients with Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis (AFRS) using both subjective and objective outcome measurements. Methods A prospective comparative study was conducted in a tertiary care center on 60 patients diagnosed with AFRS. Patients with chronic systemic illness and those undergoing revision surgery were excluded. Post-operative patients were divided into two groups of 30 each which received Itraconazole 400 mg OD or Methylprednisolone in tapering doses over six weeks. The outcomes were measured at the end of 6 weeks -Kupferberg endoscopic staging, Absolute Eosinophilic Count (AEC), Serum Immunoglobulin (IgE), and Sino Nasal Outcome Test - 20 scores. Results Our study showed no statistical significance in outcomes between the two groups treated with Itraconazole and Methylprednisolone regarding recurrence, AEC, IgE, and Quality of Life Assessment (p<0.01). Conclusion Itraconazole was comparable to Methylprednisolone in preventing disease recurrence in the post-operative management of AFRS. It may be a viable alternative to replacing systemic steroids where the latter may be contraindicated. Itraconazole given at a dose of 400 mg once daily for six weeks was a safe dose. Keywords: Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis, Itraconazole, endoscopy, Quality of Life, Methylprednisolone Key points: • Itraconazole was comparable to systemic steroid (Methylprednisolone) in preventing disease recurrence in the post-operative management of AFRS. • It may be a viable alternative to replacing systemic steroids where the latter may be contraindicated. • Itraconazole given at a dose of 400 mg once daily for six weeks was a safe dose. • Recurrence may be treated safely with Itraconazole than with steroids. • The course may be repeated in case of recurrence with close monitoring.