Risk factors for chronic rhinosinusitis

Abstract

Purpose of review To review the recent literature on risk factors for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with an emphasis on genetic, comorbid diseases and environmental factors associated with CRS. Through identifying potential risk factors for CRS, we glean insights into the underlying pathogenic mechanisms and essential for developing effective therapeutic strategies. Recent findings Recent findings demonstrate that genetics, comorbid medical conditions including airway diseases, gastroesophageal reflux disease, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases and various demographic and environmental factors are associated with having a CRS diagnosis. Limitations of current studies include, variable application of disease definitions, lack of prospective longitudinal studies and a disproportionate focus on tertiary care populations. Summary CRS has a broad spectrum of associations ranging from genetics to comorbid diseases and environmental factors. These predisposing factors provide valuable information for possible designing therapeutic and preventive interventions. However, to better understand whether these associations cause CRS, further studies are needed to independently replicate findings, establish temporal relationships between exposure and disease onset, evaluate the influence of exposure dose on disease severity, and to understand the biological effects of these risk factors in the context of CRS.

Nasal and sinus symptoms and chronic rhinosinusitis in a population-based sample

“…Similar associations have been reported in prior studies of CRS [32–35] but not by symptom status. We found CRS subgroups were most associated with health outcomes when both smell loss and pain and/or pressure were part of the profile, while associations were weakest among CRS profiles without smell loss, pain, or pressure.…”

Patient‐reported signs of dampness at home may be a risk factor for chronic rhinosinusitis: A cross‐sectional study

“…This is in accordance with the results from some studies, although no such association was found in a recent case‐control study with objectively verified CRS . There are still few studies on the effect of environmental factors on CRS, but there are some results indicating that air pollution, the use of woodstoves as principal source of heat and exposure to gas, fumes and dust at work may be related to an increased risk of CRS . Our results contribute another predisposing and preventable risk factor, showing that dampness at home is strongly related to CRS.…”

“…16 There are still few studies on the effect of environmental factors on CRS, but there are some results indicating that air pollution, the use of woodstoves as principal source of heat and exposure to gas, fumes and dust at work may be related to an increased risk of CRS. 24 Our results contribute another predisposing and preventable risk factor, showing that dampness at home is strongly related to CRS. Dampness was found to have an impact on CRS, which was as strong as smoking, and the effects were seen to be additive when both risk factors existed.…”

Chronic Rhinosinusitis without Nasal Polyps

“…Both CRS phenotypes also can be associated with autoimmune diseases, such as Wegener’s granulomatosis and sarcoidosis. 23 …”