Identifying clinical symptoms for improving the symptomatic diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis

The Evolution and Application of Artificial Intelligence in Rhinology: A State of the Art Review

OBJECTIVE

To provide a comprehensive overview on the applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in rhinology, highlight its limitations, and propose strategies for its integration into surgical practice.

DATA SOURCES

Medline, Embase, CENTRAL, Ei Compendex, IEEE, and Web of Science.

REVIEW METHODS

English studies from inception until January 2022 and those focusing on any application of AI in rhinology were included. Study selection was independently performed by 2 authors; discrepancies were resolved by the senior author. Studies were categorized by rhinology theme, and data collection comprised type of AI utilized, sample size, and outcomes, including accuracy and precision among others.

CONCLUSIONS

An overall 5435 articles were identified. Following abstract and title screening, 130 articles underwent full-text review, and 59 articles were selected for analysis. Eleven studies were from the gray literature. Articles were stratified into image processing, segmentation, and diagnostics (n = 27); rhinosinusitis classification (n = 14); treatment and disease outcome prediction (n = 8); optimizing surgical navigation and phase assessment (n = 3); robotic surgery (n = 2); olfactory dysfunction (n = 2); and diagnosis of allergic rhinitis (n = 3). Most AI studies were published from 2016 onward (n = 45).

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

This state of the art review aimed to highlight the increasing applications of AI in rhinology. Next steps will entail multidisciplinary collaboration to ensure data integrity, ongoing validation of AI algorithms, and integration into clinical practice. Future research should be tailored at the interplay of AI with robotics and surgical education.

Validity and Reliability Study of Bahasa Malaysia Version of Sino-Nasal Outcome Test 22 in Chronic Rhinosinusitis Patient

Background

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) affects 14% of the general population. The Sino-Nasal Outcome Test 22 (SNOT-22) is a reliable instrument assessing the impact of CRS. This study aimed to examine the reliability and construct validity of the translated Bahasa Malaysia version of SNOT-22.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Otorhinolaryngology clinic in Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). Seventy CRS respondents and 39 healthy participants were included. The Bahasa Malaysia translated SNOT-22 (bmSNOT-22) was produced using rigorous forward and backward translation. Statistical analyses used included feasibility, Cronbach's alpha, intraclass correlation coefficient, Pearson's correlation coefficient and factor analysis.

Results

The feasibility was 97.2% in the initial test and 100% in the retest. The Cronbach's alpha was 0.89 in the initial test. The average intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.90, indicating good test-retest reliability. The bmSNOT-22 discriminated between the control group and patients (t = 15.33; P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The bmSNOT-22 is reliable, and validity established therefore recommended for Malaysia's clinicians and researchers as a measurement tool for the outcome in sino-nasal disorders such as rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps.

Efficacy of Adenoidectomy for the Management of Chronic Rhinosinusitis in Children Older Than 7 Years of Age

OBJECTIVES

While adenoidectomy is the first-line surgical management of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) in young children, evidence regarding its utility in older children is lacking. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of adenoidectomy in children 7 to 18 years old with regard to symptom control, postoperative medication use, and the need for additional surgery.

METHODS

Single-institution retrospective chart review of patients ages 7 to 18 undergoing adenoidectomy for CRS from 2009 to 2019. Patients with cystic fibrosis and ciliary disorders were excluded. Comorbidities, preoperative and postoperative symptoms (rhinorrhea, congestion, anosmia, and facial pain), medication use (antibiotics, antihistamines, nasal steroids, and irrigations), and Lund-Mackay scores were extracted. McNemar's or Wilcoxon Rank Sum Tests were used to assess rates of symptom control and medication use. Fisher's exact or Chi-square tests were used to assess for factors associated with symptom persistence.

RESULTS

Ninety-seven patients with a mean age of 9 years (range 7-18) were identified. Patients were shown to experience significantly decreased rates of rhinorrhea (64.9% vs 20.6%, <.001), congestion (95.9% vs 26.8%, <.001), facial pain (17.5% vs 3.1%, .001), use of nasal steroids (79.4% vs 36.1%, <.001), antihistamines (47.4% vs 20.6%, <.001), and number of antibiotics (median 1 vs 0, <.001) after adenoidectomy. No patient or disease factors were associated with symptom persistence. Nine patients (9.3%) required additional nasal surgery.

CONCLUSION

In this cohort of older children with CRS with limited follow up, additional surgery is not routinely done following adenoidectomy, the results suggest that adenoidectomy alone may provide adequate symptom control and medication reduction.

International consensus statement on allergy and rhinology: rhinosinusitis 2021

I.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

BACKGROUND: The 5 years since the publication of the first International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Rhinosinusitis (ICAR-RS) has witnessed foundational progress in our understanding and treatment of rhinologic disease. These advances are reflected within the more than 40 new topics covered within the ICAR-RS-2021 as well as updates to the original 140 topics. This executive summary consolidates the evidence-based findings of the document.

METHODS

ICAR-RS presents over 180 topics in the forms of evidence-based reviews with recommendations (EBRRs), evidence-based reviews, and literature reviews. The highest grade structured recommendations of the EBRR sections are summarized in this executive summary.

RESULTS

ICAR-RS-2021 covers 22 topics regarding the medical management of RS, which are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Additionally, 4 topics regarding the surgical management of RS are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Finally, a comprehensive evidence-based management algorithm is provided.

CONCLUSION

This ICAR-RS-2021 executive summary provides a compilation of the evidence-based recommendations for medical and surgical treatment of the most common forms of RS.

Headache and rhinosinusitis: A review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To explain our current understanding of headache attributed to rhinosinusitis, an often inappropriately diagnosed secondary headache.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent studies have shown that headache attributed to rhinosinusitis is often over-diagnosed in patients who actually have primary headache disorders, most commonly migraine. Failure to recognize and treat rhinosinusitis, however, can have devastating consequences. Abnormalities of the sinuses may also be treatable by surgical means, which may provide headache relief in appropriately selected patients.

SUMMARY

It is important for the practicing physician to understand how rhinosinusitis fits into the differential diagnosis of headache, both to avoid overdiagnosis in patients with primary headache, and to avoid underdiagnosis in patients with serious sinus disease.

The Sinonasal Outcome Test-22 or European Position Paper: Which Is More Indicative of Imaging Results?

Objective

The 22-item Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) is a trusted measure of symptom severity in chronic rhinosinusitis. The European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis (EPOS) provides widely accepted diagnostic criteria, which include sinonasal symptoms, their duration, and imaging results. Our objective was to compare these approaches to assessing symptoms to determine if either was more indicative of radiologic findings, to support decisions in telehealth.

Study Design

Observational outcomes study.

Setting

Tertiary care center.

Methods

In total, 162 consecutive patients provided a structured sinonasal history, completed the SNOT-22, and underwent sinus computed tomography (CT) within 1 month. SNOT-22 scores, EPOS-defined symptom sets, and Lund-Mackay results were assessed. To facilitate direct comparisons, we performed stepwise evaluations of sinonasal symptoms alone and combined with duration. The discriminatory capacity for imaging results was determined through areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC-AUC) for dichotomous outcomes and ordinal regression for multilevel outcomes.

Results

In ROC-AUC analyses, SNOT-22 and EPOS-defined symptoms had similar discriminatory capacity for Lund-Mackay scores, regardless of duration. Within ordinal regression analyses, SNOT-22 nasal scores were significantly associated with Lund-Mackay scores, while EPOS-defined nasal symptoms were not statistically significantly related.

Conclusions

SNOT-22 nasal scores and EPOS-defined nasal symptoms may have similar associations with imaging results when assessed via ROC-AUC, while SNOT-22 may have more association within ordinal data. Understanding the implications of discrete patterns of symptoms may confer benefit, particularly when in-person and fiberoptic exams are limited.

Differentiation of Clinical Patterns Associated With Rhinologic Disease

BACKGROUND

Common rhinologic diagnoses have similar presentations with a varying degree of overlap. Patterns may exist within clinical data that can be useful for early diagnosis and predicting outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the feasibility of artificial intelligence to differentiate patterns in patient data in order to develop clinically-meaningful diagnostic groups.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study of prospectively-acquired patient data at a tertiary rhinology clinic was performed. Data extracted included objective findings on nasal endoscopy, patient reported quality of life (PRQOL) instrument ratings, peripheral eosinophil fraction, and past medical history. Unsupervised non-hierarchical cluster analysis was performed to discover patterns in the data using 22 input variables.

RESULTS

A total of 545 patients were analyzed after application of inclusion and exclusion criteria yielding 7 unique patient clusters, highly dependent on PRQOL scores and demographics. The clusters were clinically-relevant with distinct characteristics. Chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyposis (CRSsNP) was associated with two clusters having low frequencies of asthma and low eosinophil fractions. Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) was associated with high frequency of asthma, mean (standard deviation [SD]) NOSE scores of 66 (19) and SNOT-22 scores of 41 (15), and high eosinophil fractions. AR was present in multiple clusters. RARS was associated with the youngest population with mean (SD) NOSE score of 54 (23) and SNOT-22 score of 41 (19).

CONCLUSION

Broader consideration of initially available clinical data may improve diagnostic efficiency for rhinologic conditions without ancillary studies, using computer-driven algorithms. PRQOL scores and demographic information appeared to be useful adjuncts, with associations to diagnoses in this pilot study.

A new approach to categorization of radiologic inflammation in chronic rhinosinusitis

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a prevalent condition. Clinical diagnosis requires subjective evidence (i.e. symptoms) and objective evidence of inflammation (e.g. sinus computed tomography [CT]). Few studies have assessed differences in common CT scoring approaches for CRS, the Lund-Mackay (LM) system and its modified version (mLM); none in a general population sample. The aims of this study were to answer the following: (1) Is mLM superior to LM? (2) Should nasal cavity opacification be included in scoring? (3) How should location-specific scores be utilized? (4) If location-specific scores are summed, what should be the cutoff? (5) Are associations of opacification with symptoms observed when using different measurement approaches? We scored sinus CTs using LM and mLM from 526 subjects selected from a larger CRS study. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) assessed similarity of mLM and LM. Latent class analysis (LCA) identified subgroups of sinus opacification patterns. Factors associated with group membership and relations with nasal and sinus symptoms (NSS) guided clinical relevance. EFA suggested no differences between LM and mLM, or after addition of nasal cavity opacification. LCA identified three opacification groups: no/mild, localized, and diffuse. Males were 2.7x more likely to have diffuse opacification than females, as were those with asthma or hay fever. A LM cutoff of 3 had similar performance to the currently used 4. Diffuse opacification was associated with nasal blockage and smell loss. Differing patterns of opacification may be clinically relevant, improving measurement of objective evidence in studies of CRS and sinus diseases.

Headaches and facial pain in rhinology

"Sinus headache" is a common chief complaint that often leads patients to an otolaryngologist's office. Because facial pain may or may not be sinogenic in origin, the otolaryngologist should be equipped to evaluate and treat or to appropriately refer these patients. Analysis of current data indicates that the majority of patients who present with sinus headaches actually have migraines. Furthermore, the downstream effect of the cytokine cascade initiated in migraine physiology can cause rhinologic symptoms, including rhinorrhea, congestion, and lacrimation, which may also confound diagnosis. Other causes of sinus headache include the following: cluster headaches, Sluder neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia, myofascial trigger point pain (tension headaches, temporomandibular joint dysfunction), and contact point headaches. The diagnostic dilemma for an otolaryngologist occurs when a patient has facial pain and symptoms that may indicate chronic rhinosinusitis but with nondiagnostic endoscopy. Traditionally, these patients have been primarily managed with empiric antibiotics. An alternative strategy is to first screen these patients with an upfront computed tomography. This algorithm may ultimately decrease cost; avert unnecessary antibiotics prescriptions; and prompt more timely referrals to other, more appropriate, disciplines, such as neurology, dentistry, and/or pain management specialists.

Predictive value of SNOT-22 on additional opiate prescriptions after endoscopic sinus surgery

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is generally well tolerated, yet a subset of patients require an additional opiate prescription in the postoperative period. The purpose of this study was to quantify differences in both preoperative and immediate postoperative 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) scores between patients with a single prescription and those requiring additional opiate prescriptions (AOPs).

METHODS

Patients undergoing ESS between November 2016 and August 2017 were reviewed retrospectively. The Medical and Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES) records were reviewed; patients requiring AOP within 60 days after surgery were identified. The primary and secondary outcomes of interest were the association of baseline and first postoperative visit SNOT-22 total and domain scores with AOP.

RESULTS

A total of 121 patients were reviewed, 22 (18.2%) required AOP. Baseline SNOT-22 scores were higher in aggregate (58.7 ± 16.0 vs 46.1 ± 22.5) and ear/facial domain (11.4 ± 4.8 vs 8.5 ± 5.4) in the AOP group (p < 0.01). AOP patients also demonstrated higher scores across all SNOT-22 domains (p < 0.001) at the immediate preoperative visit. There was no difference in the absolute improvement between groups (15.5 ± 18.30 vs 12.3 ± 23.9, p = 0.54). AOP patients experienced less relative improvement (20.2% vs 34.8%, p < 0.05) and smaller mean effect size (0.57 vs 0.70, p < 0.001) after ESS.

CONCLUSION

Patients reporting increased ear and facial symptoms at baseline have an increased risk of additional opiate prescription after surgery; preoperative SNOT-22 scores may provide utility in identifying these patients. Subjects in both cohorts report symptomatic improvement after ESS; however, relative, not absolute, improvement in SNOT-22 scores is more predictive of AOP.

Clinical predictors of chronic rhinosinusitis: do the Canadian clinical practice guidelines for acute and chronic rhinosinusitis predict CT-confirmation of disease?

BACKGROUND

The diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) based on clinical presentation alone remains challenging. To improve the accuracy of clinical diagnosis, the Canadian Rhinosinusitis Guidelines recommend the use of specific symptom and endoscopic criteria. Our study objective was to determine whether symptom and endoscopic criteria, as defined by the Canadian Rhinosinusitis Guidelines, accurately predict CT-confirmed CRS diagnosis.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of 126 patients who underwent CT sinuses based on clinical suspicion of possible CRS. The presence of symptom and endoscopic criteria, as defined by the Canadian Rhinosinusitis Guidelines, were compared between patients with and without a CT-confirmed CRS diagnosis using two-tailed Fisher's exact tests. Positive predictive values and likelihood ratios were determined for each symptom and endoscopic finding.

RESULTS

Overall, 56.3% of patients had a CT-confirmed diagnosis of CRS. With the exception of nasal polyps, none of the symptom or endoscopic criteria had a statistically significant correlation with positive CT sinuses. For symptom criteria, positive predictive values ranged from 52.4% to 63.4%; likelihood ratios ranged from 0.85 to 1.34. For endoscopic criteria, positive predictive values and likelihood ratios were 71.4% and 1.94 (edema); 63.0% and 1.32 (discharge); and 92.9% and 10.1 (nasal polyps). 35.2% of patients with CT-confirmed CRS had normal endoscopic exams.

CONCLUSION

The Canadian Rhinosinusitis Guidelines' symptom and endoscopic criteria for CRS, with the exception of nasal polyps on endoscopy, do not accurately predict CT-confirmed disease. In addition, a normal endoscopic exam does not rule out CRS.

Comprehensive review on endonasal endoscopic sinus surgery

Endonasal endoscopic sinus surgery is the standard procedure for surgery of most paranasal sinus diseases. Appropriate frame conditions provided, the respective procedures are safe and successful. These prerequisites encompass appropriate technical equipment, anatomical oriented surgical technique, proper patient selection, and individually adapted extent of surgery. The range of endonasal sinus operations has dramatically increased during the last 20 years and reaches from partial uncinectomy to pansinus surgery with extended surgery of the frontal (Draf type III), maxillary (grade 3-4, medial maxillectomy, prelacrimal approach) and sphenoid sinus. In addition there are operations outside and beyond the paranasal sinuses. The development of surgical technique is still constantly evolving. This article gives a comprehensive review on the most recent state of the art in endoscopic sinus surgery according to the literature with the following aspects: principles and fundamentals, surgical techniques, indications, outcome, postoperative care, nasal packing and stents, technical equipment.

Risk factors for chronic rhinosinusitis

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 aim to glean insights into the underlying pathogenic mechanisms essential for developing effective therapeutic strategies.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent findings demonstrate that genetics and 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 may provide valuable information for possible designing of 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.

Commentary on gender differences in prevalence, treatment, and quality of life of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis

Objective:

To examine the existing evidence on gender differences in the prevalence, treatment, and quality of life of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).

Methods:

Review of the literature and expert opinion.

Results:

From a sociologic standpoint, women have historically been considered more likely to report symptoms, seek medical care, and give poorer self-evaluation of health, which may bias data toward increased prevalence and a greater effect of CRS on quality of life in women. However, the influence of gender seems to be restricted primarily to the evaluation of general quality of life, whereas the disease-specific health-related quality of life is not different between genders. Furthermore, migraine headaches, which are more common among women, may be misdiagnosed as CRS, which contributes to gender differences in the prevalence of CRS. The degree to which reported differences in prevalence and health utilization represent biologic or physiologic differences between genders is not known; however, differences in anatomic size, tobacco susceptibility, and hormonal factors have been speculated to increase the overall susceptibility to CRS in women compared with men.

Conclusions:

Focused research that examines the effect of gender on the development, treatment, and outcomes of CRS is warranted.

Patient knowledge and perception of computed tomography scan in the management of chronic rhinosinusitis symptoms

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

The objective of this study was to report patients' knowledge and comfort level with computed tomography (CT) imaging for sinus disease and evaluate patient willingness to undergo empiric medical therapy (EMT) versus CT-directed therapy (CTDT).

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective survey study.

METHODS

A 22-item survey was administered to patients with nasal/sinus symptoms in a tertiary care rhinology clinic. Questions elicited patient demographics, imaging history, and knowledge/comfort regarding imaging-related radiation exposure. Patients were presented with the theoretical choice of EMT versus CTDT, given the expected positive predictive value, in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) management.

RESULTS

Two hundred patients (52% female, age range 18-83 years) participated. Of these, 85% had symptoms for over 3 months. Only 91 patients (45.5%) were aware that CT imaging involved radiation exposure. Prior CT experience and past sinus surgery (P < .05), but not sex or education level, were associated with increased comfort with CT imaging. Most patients (78%) preferred CTDT over EMT. If a CT sinus was recommended, 77 patients (38.5%) had concerns, of which 26% identified radiation exposure as the leading concern. The majority (70%) were unsure about the relative radiation dose of a conventional CT.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with CRS symptoms prefer CTDT over EMT if a diagnosis cannot be established definitively using exam findings. Although most patients deferred to the physician regarding the decision to utilize CT imaging, there is low awareness of CT-related radiation exposure, and a significant minority of patients have radiation-related concerns with regard to medical imaging for nasal and sinus symptoms.

Influence of upper airway abnormalities on the control of severe asthma: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

A better understanding of severe uncontrolled asthma (UA) in the upper airways is needed. The aims of this study were to assess the prevalence of upper airway abnormalities and their associations with UA.

METHODS

An observational study enrolled individuals with severe asthma. Sociodemographic and clinical questionnaires regarding asthma, rhinosinusitis, and laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) were administered. Skin-prick tests and fiber optic nasolaryngoscopies were also performed. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed, using a multiple Poisson regression model to obtain adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) and to identify the clinical profiles associated with the highest and lowest percentages of the dependent variable, lack of asthma control.

RESULTS

The sample consisted of 64 participants who were divided into 2 groups according to asthma control. Thus, group I comprised 27 individuals with severe controlled asthma (CA), and group II consisted of 37 individuals with UA. Women represented 87.5% of the study population. The median age was 54 years, and 86% of the sample had rhinosinusitis. Relevant associations were detected between UA and hyposmia (PR = 2.04), hypersensitivity to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (PR = 1.45), arytenoids hyperemia (PR = 1.45), LPR (PR = 1.37), a positive family history of asthma (PR = 1.35), onset of asthma at age 10 years or older (PR = 0.59), and swelling of the vocal cords (PR = 0.54).

CONCLUSION

This study found a very high prevalence of rhinosinusitis in patients with severe asthma as well as associations between UA and hyposmia, hypersensitivity to NSAIDs, arytenoids hyperemia, and LPR. Clinical profiles prone to UA were identified.

Cost efficient workup and management of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis - challenges and unmet needs

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common disease, estimated to occur in 12-16% of the United States population. This prevalence creates a significant health burden with an estimated 15 million ambulatory visits for the condition annually. Consequently, practice guidelines have been designed to assist both the primary care provider and specialist in establishing a CRS diagnosis and prescribing effective treatment for CRS. The guidelines for CRS diagnosis have evolved since the United States Rhinosinusitis Task Force first published its symptom-based guidelines in 1997. Contemporary practice guidelines still require 12 weeks of appropriate symptoms, but now include corroboration of objective sinonasal inflammation demonstrated on physical exam, imaging, or endoscopy to arrive at a CRS diagnosis. While these diagnostic criteria are seemingly straightforward and are regarded as the gold standard for the diagnosis, the appropriate timing of imaging and endoscopy remain unspecified and continue to present challenges for both primary care and specialty providers. These considerations have to be measured by the direct and indirect costs of the diagnostic workup including office visits, CT scanning, endoscopy, as well as the potential for overuse of treatment modalities such as antibiotics and steroid medications. The goal of this review is to update the primary care provider and otolaryngologist on current evidence regarding the diagnosis and treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis, including the costs and timing of endoscopy and imaging.

What do we know about rhinogenic headache? The otolaryngologist’s challenge

Sinus headache is a common presenting complaint in the otolaryngology office. Although most patients with this presentation are found to have migraine headache, many do not, and others fail therapy. This review focuses on the current understanding of nonneoplastic rhinogenic headache: headaches that are caused or exacerbated by nasal or paranasal sinus disease or anatomy. The literature regarding this topic is reviewed, along with a review of surgical series seeking to correct these abnormalities and the outcomes obtained with intervention. Suggestions are provided regarding patient diagnosis and management, and options for intervention are reviewed.

Incidence and associated premorbid diagnoses of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis

BACKGROUND

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a prevalent condition with underexplored risk factors.

OBJECTIVES

We sought to determine CRS incidence and evaluate associations with a range of premorbid medical conditions for chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (CRSsNP) and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) using real-world clinical practice data.

METHODS

Electronic health records data from 446,480 Geisinger Clinic primary care patients were used for a retrospective longitudinal cohort study for data from 2001-2010. By using logistic regression, newly diagnosed CRS cases between 2007 and 2009 were compared with frequency-matched control subjects on premorbid factors in the immediate (0-6 months), intermediate (7-24 months), and entire observed timeframes before diagnosis.

RESULTS

The average incidence of CRS was 83 ± 13 CRSwNP cases per 100,000 person-years and 1048 ± 78 CRSsNP cases per 100,000 person-years. Between 2007 and 2009, 595 patients with incident CRSwNP and 7523 patients with incident CRSsNP were identified and compared with 8118 control subjects. Compared with control subjects and patients with CRSsNP, patients with CRSwNP were older and more likely to be male. Before diagnosis, patients with CRS had a higher prevalence of acute rhinosinusitis, allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinitis, asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease, adenotonsillitis, sleep apnea, anxiety, and headaches (all P < .001). Patients with CRSsNP had a higher premorbid prevalence of infections of the upper and lower airway, skin/soft tissue, and urinary tract (all P < .001). In the immediate and intermediate timeframes analyzed, patients with CRS had more outpatient encounters and antibiotic prescriptions (P < .001), but guideline-recommended diagnostic testing was performed in a minority of cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who are given a diagnosis of CRS have a higher premorbid prevalence of anxiety, headaches, gastroesophageal reflux disease, sleep apnea, and infections of the respiratory system and some nonrespiratory sites, which results in higher antibiotic, corticosteroid, and health care use. The use of guideline-recommended diagnostic testing for confirmation of CRS remains poor.