Incidence and effect of asthma on consecutive patients with chronic rhinosinusitis

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the incidence of asthma in patients treated for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) in a tertiary institution. To determine the effect of asthma on the presence or absence of specific CRS symptoms and the frequency of surgical treatment need in this patient population. Methods: Retrospective chart review of 145 consecutive patients diagnosed and treated for CRS in a tertiary institution. Data were analyzed to determine the incidence of allergic rhinitis, nasal polyposis, nasal congestion, headache/facial pain, olfactory dysfunction, rhinorrhea, postnasal drip and the need for CRS surgical management in the asthmatic and nonasthmatic patient groups. Results: Asthma was present in 23% of the patients with CRS while the incidence in the adult general population is 5%. Patients with asthma had a higher incidence of nasal polyps (47% vs 22%, P = 0.004), olfactory dysfunction (26% vs 6%, P = 0.001), nasal congestion (85% vs. 60%, P = 0.027) and need for surgery (76% vs 65%, P = 0.206) compared to patients without asthma. Patients with asthma had a higher number of revision sinus procedures compared to nonasthmatics (2.9 vs 1.5). Nonasthmatics had a higher incidence of headache (72% vs 53%, P = 0.037) and rhinorrhea (58% vs 38%, P = 0.047) compared to patients with asthma. The incidence of allergies was similar between the 2 groups. Conclusions: Patients with asthma have a higher incidence of polyps, olfactory dysfunction, and nasal congestion than nonasthmatics. Patients with asthma are also more likely to require sinus surgery than nonasthmatics. Conversely, headache and rhinorrhea were more prevalent in the patients without asthma.