Management of rhinosinusitis in Dutch general practice

Abstract

To determine whether general practitioners (GPs) distinguish between the management of acute rhinosinusitis (ARS) and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), especially with regard to prescription of antibiotics and nasal steroids. A questionnaire on the management of rhinosinusitis was sent to 1000 GPs in The Netherlands. Ninety-six percent discriminated between ARS and CRS. However, the definition of ARS and CRS varied. The percentage of GPs prescribing antibiotics rose as rhinosinusitis severity increased. The prescription rate of nasal corticosteroids was highest for CRS (88.6%). Prescribing nasal corticosteroids in ARS was not very common. Most GPs discriminate between ARS and CRS and 54% accepted (the EP3OS-defined) 12 weeks as the division between ARS and CRS. Antibiotics and nasal steroids are commonly used agents, but the management of rhinosinusitis is not always consistent with guidelines.