Baseline Characteristics
The baseline characteristics are summarized in Table I. A comparison was made between the placebo and benralizumab treatment groups at baseline. There was no significant difference in age, gender, BMI, history of asthma, number of prior surgical polypectomies, or the number of years since the patient was first diagnosed with NP. All but two patients reported a current or prior history of mild to moderate asthma and at least half of the participants skin tested positive to at least one aeroallergen tested. The number of patients that described sensitivity to aspirin was greater in the placebo group (P=0.049) however, this was not determined by a challenge procedure. In many cases the history of aspirin sensitivity was vague and often listed because a health care provider had previously and appropriately warned of this possibility. All patients were required to have been treated with at least one course of oral corticosteroids within the year preceding enrolment.
The baseline bilateral endoscopic score was at least 5 or more out of 8 to be enrolled and was similar in both groups (P=0.195). Most patients had a score of either 5 or 6, however three patients had a score of 7 or more. One patient in the benralizumab treatment group was enrolled with a polyp score of 5 but upon repeat measurement at the end of study by an independent investigator, the baseline score was corrected to 4.
CT scan Lund-Mackay (LMS) score was similar in both groups (P=0.104) and was well correlated with the endoscopic polyp score (P=0.028). Baseline smell test scores determined by UPSIT were similar among both groups with most patients (80%) scoring 12 points or less indicating that their answers were likely guesses.
About half of the patients that had at least one SPT positive out of 30 aeroallergens tested and this was similar among both groups (P=0.341). There was no statistical difference in the total number of positive SPT between the two groups (P=0.562).