Epidemiology and treatment of patients with Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps in Germany—A claims data study

BACKGROUND: There are different levels of severity among patients who suffer from chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). In this study, the epidemiology of CRSwNP and severe CRswNP was estimated. METHODS: A retrospective claim data analysis was conducted on adult CRSwNP patients (ICD‐10: J33), and those classified as severe CRSwNP patients with inadequate disease control (based upon combinations of previous and current treatments) between 2015 and 2019. Prevalence and incidence figures were calculated and extrapolated to the German population. In addition, baseline characteristics and treatment outcomes were analysed. RESULTS: Overall, the 5‐year prevalence of adult CRSwNP cases from 2015 to 2019 in Germany was 374,115 cases (about 5500 per million), with 12,989 (about 200 per million) patients being classified as severe CRSwNP with inadequate disease control, whereas 267,880 (about 3900 per million) patients were identified as having an incident CRSwNP diagnosis between 2016 and 2019. From the incident CRSwNP cohort, 80.55% had received at least one intranasal corticosteroid (INCS), 24.27% received at least 1 systemic corticosteroid (SCS), and 17.33% received at least one functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) within 12 months after their incident diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Severe CRSwNP with inadequate disease control affects about 200 per million people in Germany. INCS is the first‐choice treatment for most CRSwNP patients; however, for patients with severe CRSwNP, SCS are prescribed more frequently and long‐term effects of these should be further investigated, especially if despite treatment, adequate disease control cannot be achieved.