A Comprehensive Epidemiological and Clinical Study of Chronic Rhinosinusitis: First Report from an Iranian Sinusitis Registry Center

Background & Objective: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a high prevalent disease throughout the world. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of the CRS patients. Materials & Methods: A total of ۲۴۱ CRS patients aged ۱۵-۷۰ years were recruited. The prevalence of allergic diseases and its association with CRS, disease severity, and quality of life (QoL) were assessed using GA۲LEN and SNOT-۲۲ questionnaires, respectively. Patients' clinical diagnoses and allergic comorbidities were evaluated using paranasal sinus computed tomography (CT), nasal endoscopy, and paraclinical tests (smell identification test, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), skin prick test (SPT), pulmonary function test (PFT)). Results: The mean (±SD) age of all participants was ۴۰.۱±۱۱.۱ years, with a gender distribution of ۵۶% male and ۴۴% female. Nasal polyps (NP) were diagnosed in ۴۲.۴% of patients. The total mean SNOT-۲۲ scores and the mean scores of the nasal symptoms category were significantly higher in CRS patients with NP (CRSwNP) compared to CRS without NP (CRSsNP) (OR = ۲.۳, ۹۵%CI = ۹.۶–۰.۵۵, P = ۰.۰۲۸). Furthermore, there was a significant association between CRSwNP and persistent allergic rhinitis comorbidity (P = ۰.۰۰۶). Finally, a significant association was found between CRSwNP and severe SPT reactivity to Dermatophagoides farina and date palm pollen (P = ۰.۰۴ and P < ۰.۰۰۱, respectively). Conclusion: This study suggests that higher SNOT-۲۲ scores may impact QoL in CRSwNP patients. Additionally, a significant association was found between CRS and respiratory allergic diseases.

Keywords:

Chronic rhinosinusitis , Allergic diseases , EPOS۲۰۲۰ , GA۲LEN , SNOT-۲۲