Aggravated Airway Inflammation: Research on Genomics and Optimal Medical Care (AirGOs-medical)

The study is performed as a randomized double-blinded prospective controlled trial. A total of 72 adult Acetyl salicylic acid (ASA) -exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) -patients with uncontrolled chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) will be recruited. Those negative to ASA-challenge test will not enter the Clinical Trial . All patients entering the Clinical Trial, have undergone earlier ethmoidal surgery (partial/total) and have not gained disease control. F-helicobacter antigen is tested and treatment is given if indicated. The patients are recruited at the Helsinki University Hospital (HUH). The study will be monitored by a professional monitor. Electronic CRF and paper/electronic patient questionnaires provided by HUS will be used (eCRF and patient questionnairea, Granitics).

Randomization and the treatment arms I-II: The patients are randomized to two treatment arms I) ASA- desensitization po tablet daily for 11 months (n=36) II) Placebo po tablet daily for 11 months (n=18). ASA challenge and desensitization (Primaspan) /Placebo: is conducted according to modified international protocol. FEV1 should be at least 1.5 L and \> 60% of predicted before challenge or desensitization. On the first day every patient will receive 25 mg + 25 mg ASA at a hospital setting. On the second day every patient will receive 50 mg + 25 mg ASA at a hospital setting. On the third day every patient will receive 75 mg + 25 mg ASA at a hospital setting. On the fourth day every patient will receive 100 mg + 25 mg ASA at a hospital setting. During the ASA challenge, patient who is ASA-challenge positive is then randomized and starts the trial so that he/she uses blinded ½ tablet of 250 mg ASA or ½ tablet of placebo daily at home for the next 1 month. After this period of 1 month, the dosing is increased at hospital setting, so that the patient receives blindly 250 mg ASA 1/2 tablet + 1/2 tablet or placebo 1/2 tablet + 1/2 tablet. Thereafter he/she will continue using blindly 250 mg ASA 1 tablet or placebo 1 tablet daily at home for the next 10 months. If the patient does not tolerate the up-dosing of ASA/placebo, he/she will continue using blindly ½ tablet of 250 mg ASA/placebo daily at home for the next 10 months. The total duration of the ASA/placebo treatment is 11 months. We additionally take nasal, blood and urine samples during the trial. Follow-ups. The symptom questionnaire and interview of side-effects are performed during each visit. Lung function (eNO, nNO, PEF, spirometry) is monitored and the patient will visit doctor and/or nurse at 1, 5, 11, and 12 months post-starting with the treatment. Samples are taken during recruitment visit, before and after ASA-challenge and at 5, 11 and 12 months post-starting with the treatment. We also monitor side-effects, exacerbations, need of medication (po. cortisocteroids; antibiotics) and satisfaction to treatment. Primary end point is change in nasal endoscopic nasal polyp score at -4 days vs. +11 months post-randomization. Secondary end point is change in Sinonasal Outcome Test -22 (SNOT-22) score at -4 days vs. +11 months post-randomization, and change in relative Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1 %) without bronchodilator at -1 month vs. +11 months post-randomization. Safety (complications, adverse effects), costs and loss of productivity between study arms will be compared. Trial medication will be discontinued, if surgery is needed before the end of follow-up.