Results:
At the end of six weeks, one patient from Itraconazole and two from Methylprednisolone groups were lost for follow-up, leaving behind 57 patients. Hence, out of 57 patients, 29 (50.9 %) belonged to the Itraconazole group, and the rest, 28(49.1%) Methylprednisolone group. Both groups were comparable (Table- 1).
After six weeks of treatment, serum IgE was found to be normalized (< 500 IU/mL) in 51.7% and 64.3% of Itraconazole and Methylprednisolone groups, with no statistical difference between both groups. (p=0.34). The AEC was normalized in 82.8% and 89.3% in Itraconazole and Methylprednisolone groups with no statistical difference between both groups(p=0.74) (Tables- 2, 3). Pre-operatively, all patients had grade 3 nasal polyps on nasal endoscopy. At six weeks after surgery, recurrence (Kupferberg Grade more than 1) was seen in 2 patients (6.9 %) in the Itraconazole group and 4(14.3%) patients in the Methylprednisolone group. The difference was not statistically significant (p=0.6).
At 12 weeks, 24 out of 29 from the Itraconazole group and 17 out of 28 from the Methylprednisolone group were available for follow-up. Of which, 5(20.8%) in the itraconazole group and 6(35.3%) in the methylprednisolone group showed recurrence in endoscopy, which was not statistically significant (p=0.6).
At 24 weeks, 20 of the 29 patients in the Itraconazole group and 17 of the 28 patients in the Methylprednisolone group were available for follow-up. Of which, 5(25 %) in the itraconazole group and 7(41.2%) in the methylprednisolone group showed recurrence in nasal endoscopy (p=0.3).