BACKGROUND: Olfactory dysfunction is a common complaint in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). The purpose of this article is to critically review all published literature regarding the impact of monoclonal antibodies on CRSwNP-related olfactory dysfunction.
METHODS: An electronic literature search was performed in MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, the Cochrane Library electronic databases, and multiple trial registries, followed by extensive hand-searching for the retrieval of relevant studies.
RESULTS: Seven trials with a total of 957 patients were eventually identified and systematically reviewed. Six of 7 studies showed that biologic therapy can improve olfactory dysfunction when compared with placebo. Overall, these biologic agents were considered safe and well-tolerated. No cases of olfactory deterioration or olfactory loss were reported.
CONCLUSION: This is the first meta-analysis presenting clinical outcomes with regard to olfactory function in CRSwNP patients who had been treated with monoclonal antibodies. The positive effect of biologic treatment on the olfactory function of these patients requires further study so that the sustainability of results and duration of treatment can be determined.