Poly-unsaturated Fats for Improving Nasal Polyps and Asthma

Asthma is a syndrome compromising many phenotypes including N-ERD (caused by increased 4-series leukotriene (LT) production). n-3 PUFA supplementation modulates 4-series LT and has anti-inflammatory effects. However, other than in a pilot study with dietary manipulation, the effects of NERD are unknown.

The primary objective is to determine whether n-3 PUFA supplementation in people with N-ERD can improve asthma control using the asthma control questionnaire (ACQ-7). Secondary objectives are to determine whether n-3 PUFA improves asthma and rhinitis symptoms and quality of life and airway calibre. Mechanistic objectives are to assess effects on red blood cell fatty acid composition, cyclooxygenase pathways and airway inflammation.

This is a placebo controlled randomised controlled parallel multicentre study with of 6g per day of PUFA for 6 months in people with N-ERD and poor asthma control. Ninety-eight people will be included in the study if they have a reliable history of N-ERD or a positive nasal aspirin challenge, an ACQ-7 > 1.5 and are on stable treatment. People with other significant disease, recent respiratory tract infection, receiving aspirin desensitisation, biological asthma therapies will be excluded, as will those with a significant smoking history or alcohol consumption. The intervention will be 6g of n-3 PUFA (EPA and DHA as six (5.04g EPA+DHA) taken once daily, or in divided doses, with food for 6 months. The control will be matched placebo. Measurements will be at be made at baseline, 3 months and 6 months for ACQ-7 (equivalent to ACQ-6 plus spirometry), exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and blood for red blood cell fatty acid concentration, blood eosinophil count and safety markers. The following questionnaires will also be undertaken at these time-points: Mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (mini-AQLQ), and Euroqol 5 dimension 5 level (EQ5D-5L). The ACQ-6 will be measured every 6 weeks throughout the study and the food frequency questionnaire will be measured at baseline and 6 months. Urine will be analysed for uLTE4 and prostaglandin D2 at baseline and 6 months. Induced sputum will be obtained at baseline and 6 months in a subgroup for differential cell count and specialised pro-resolving mediators.

Inclusion criteria

• aged ≥18 years. N-ERD does not occur at birth and it rarely occurs in children.
• physician labelled diagnosis of asthma.
• history of N-ERD according EAACI guidelines(9) with evidence of one of 1) Clinical diagnosis as evidence by i. A reliable history of aspirin or NSAID induced respiratory reaction as evidenced by more than one reaction, reactions to two or more different NSAIDs or the last reaction occurring within the last 5 years plus ii. Recurrent nasal polyposis, anosmia, moderate to severe asthma, intolerance to alcohol and/or blood eosinophilia 2) Positive nasal or bronchial aspirin challenge(43)
• ACQ of more than 1.5 as this indicates poor control. This is required to ensure there is a clinical need or a requirement to alter medication.
• stable disease, as evidenced by a lack of change in asthma therapy within the last 6 weeks.

Exclusion criteria

• significant cardiac disease, respiratory disease or other cause for breathlessness other than asthma
• severe or uncontrolled co-morbid disease (other than nasal polyps) which is likely to affect the outcome of the study
• having had an upper or lower respiratory tract infection requiring antibiotics within four weeks of randomisation
• receiving aspirin desensitisation therapy or biologic agents
• receiving n-3 fatty acid oral supplements
• current smoker or more than 15 pack-year smoking history
• consumption of more than 21 units of alcohol per week as alcohol-induced respiratory symptoms are more common in N-ERD.
• patients unable to give written informed consent.