# A patient-centric approach to chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP): developing tools to improve disease management and outcomes

## TL;DR

This study created a patient management plan for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps to improve treatment and communication between patients and doctors.

## Contribution

The novel contribution is the development and evaluation of a patient management plan tailored for CRSwNP in a European context.

## Key findings

- The PMP was found to potentially improve shared decision-making and patient understanding of CRSwNP.
- Survey respondents agreed the PMP could standardize CRSwNP management across Europe.
- The PMP was seen as a useful tool for enhancing long-term treatment and follow-up for patients.

## Abstract

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is an upper airways disease predominantly characterized by type 2 (T2) inflammation, leading to reduced quality of life and patient/healthcare burden. Many patients remain underdiagnosed for T2 inflammation in clinical practice as it is not often defined/considered, resulting in inadequate disease management. This research aimed to develop and evaluate a patient management plan (PMP) to be used by healthcare professionals (HCPs) in clinical practice to improve the management and standardization of management of patients with CRSwNP in Europe.

A working group of six otorhinolaryngology (ORL) specialists and one patient advocacy group (PAG) representative, who form part of the European CRSwNP Alliance, developed the PMP. Two online surveys were disseminated to ORLs/PAGs and national CRSwNP Alliance members in December 2024 and January 2025, respectively, to evaluate the design and potential utility of the PMP in clinical practice across Europe.

Survey 1 respondents agreed that key themes in the initial PMP (patient symptoms, management of comorbidities, agreed treatment goals, follow-up management) were likely to be effective in improving patient management. Respondents across both surveys suggested that the PMP would improve shared decision-making, follow-up, adherence, and increase understanding of CRSwNP as a chronic inflammatory condition. They agreed that the PMP could standardize the management of CRSwNP across Europe.

The PMP could support patient–HCP education and communication, supplement management guidance, enhance shared decision-making, and ensure a timely, personalized, long-term treatment and management approach, including follow-up, for patients with CRSwNP.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00405-025-09763-5.

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a disease that is also referred to as ‘nasal polyp syndrome’. People who have CRSwNP experience symptoms such as loss of smell, blocked and/or runny nose, difficulty sleeping, tiredness, and pressure/pain across their face. It usually impacts a person’s quality of life. A person with CRSwNP has significant sinus and nasal inflammation which is not always accurately recognized. This means that, occasionally, people do not receive the correct treatment for their disease. The aim of this research was to design and evaluate a patient management plan (PMP) that can be used by physicians with their patients to improve the management of CRSwNP.

The PMP is a document that was designed by ear, nose, and throat specialists, and a representative for patients who were interested in improving the health of people with CRSwNP. The PMP was sent to many specialists across Europe, including lung, allergy, ear, nose, and throat physicians, and patient representatives. They were also sent two surveys to ask what they thought about the PMP. Specialists and patient representatives responded to the surveys based on how they felt the PMP would help physicians and patients in making better treatment decisions. Overall, they felt that the key themes detailed in the PMP (education, early diagnosis, personalized treatment, adherence to treatment, follow-ups, and long-term) were important for managing treatment decisions. They agreed that the PMP would be a useful tool for both physicians and patients. They thought it would help physicians and patients to communicate and make decisions together and improve the long-term management plan for patients. Overall, they thought the PMP could be used with patients with CRSwNP across Europe to improve their treatment process. The final patient-accessible version of the PMP is presented in Supplementary Fig. S1.