Linger Sim: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
Norasnieda Md Shukri: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
Najib Majdi Yaacob: Department of Biostatistics and Research Methodology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
Chenthilnathan Periasamy: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hospital Pulau Pinang, Georgetown, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
Musat Gabriela Cornelia: Saint Mary Clinical Hospital, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.
Baharudin Abdullah: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia. ORCID
INTRODUCTION: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) primarily displays type 2 inflammation, characterized by the activation of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-13 in the pathway. The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy and safety of dupilumab (an IL-4 antagonist) in treating CRSwNP. METHODS: A detailed search was performed in PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library databases. All published English-language randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that employed dupilumab to treat CRSwNP in adult patients (≥18 years old) were considered. RESULTS: Three RCTs and 25 studies with 784 individuals were included. The use of dupilumab revealed improvement in polyp size (MD -1.80; 95% CI -2.25 to -1.36), Lund-Mackay score (MD -7.01, 95% CI -9.64 to -4.38), congestion (MD -0.86, 95% CI -0.99 to -0.73), smell (MD 10.83, 95% CI 9.59 to 12.08) and health-related quality of life (MD -19.61, 95% CI -22.53 to -16.69). Systemic corticosteroid use (RR 0.28, 95% CI 0.20-0.39) and revision surgery (RR 0.17, 95% CI 0.05-0.52) were reduced. Serious adverse events were reduced in dupilumab group (RR 0.47; 95% CI 0.29 to 0.76) with no change in risk of adverse events (RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.11). CONCLUSIONS: Dupilumab is effective with minimal adverse events. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION: www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero identifier is CRD42023413004.
