EPOS2020: A Major Step Forward

TLDR

The 2020 European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps (EPOS2020) updates earlier evidence‑based guidelines from 2005, 2007, and 2012 and is released alongside this issue of Rhinology. The core objective of the EPOS2020 guideline is to provide revised, up‑to‑date, evidence‑based recommendations and integrated care pathways for acute and chronic rhinosinusitis. EPOS2020 updates literature from the past eight years, covering previously under‑addressed topics such as paediatric CRS, sinus surgery, exacerbations, and prevention, and incorporates input from new stakeholders—including neurologists, immunologists, pharmacists, nurses, and patients—to broaden care pathways and support self‑management. EPOS2020 offers updated guidance on definitions and outcome measurements across settings and suggests directions for future research.

Abstract

Together with this issue of Rhinology the new European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps will see the light. The European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps 2020 is the update of similar evidence based position papers published in 2005 and 2007 and 2012. The core objective of the EPOS2020 guideline is to provide revised, up-to-date and clear evidence-based recommendations and integrated care pathways in ARS and CRS. EPOS2020 provides an update on the literature published and studies undertaken in the eight years since the EPOS2012 position paper was published and addresses areas not extensively covered in EPOS2012 like paediatric CRS, sinus surgery, exacerbations of CRS and the prevention of CRS. EPOS2020 also involved new stakeholders, like neurologists, immunologists, pharmacists and patients and address new target users who have become more involved in the management and treatment of rhinosinusitis since the publication of the last EPOS document, including pharmacists, nurses, specialised care givers and indeed patients themselves, who employ increasing self-management of their condition using over the counter treatments. The document provides suggestion for future research in this area and offer updated guidance for definitions and outcome measurements in research in different settings.