Reduced immunoglobulin M is associated with sinus mucosal thickening, osteitis and sinus surgery in patients with common variable immunodeficiency

Prevalence and Risk Factors of MRI Abnormality Which Was Suspected as Sinusitis in Japanese Middle-Aged and Elderly Community Dwellers

The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of MRI abnormalities which were suspected as sinusitis in community-dwelling middle-aged and elderly Japanese and to identify risk factors for the MRI abnormality. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data from the National Institute for Longevity Sciences, Longitudinal Study of Aging (NILS-LSA) were used for the analysis. Among the 2330 subjects in the NILS-LSA, 1933 participants were categorized as having no MRI abnormality or MRI abnormality using the Lund-Mackay (LM) score. The mean LM score of the participants was 0.88±1.92, and 144 (7.4%) participants had MRI abnormalities which were suspected as sinusitis when it was classified as an LM score greater than or equal to 4. The prevalence of MRI abnormality was significantly higher in participants of older age and the male sex, in participants with obesity, hypertension, bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, gout, or hyperuricemia and in ex- or current smokers. A multivariate logistic regression revealed that older age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.17), obesity (OR = 1.54), a smoking habit (OR = 1.71), history of asthma (OR = 3.77), and chronic bronchitis (OR = 2.66) were significant risk factors for MRI abnormality.

Prevalence and pattern of humoral immunodeficiency in chronic refractory sinusitis

The purpose of this study is to readdress the issue of primary humoral immunodeficiency frequency and pattern in medically resistant chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) based on the new guidelines for CRS diagnosis and management. Two hundred and fifty-seven consecutive patients with refractory CRS were included in this study. The results of their IgA, IgM, IgG, and IgG subclasses were analyzed and compared with 75 age- and gender-matched control groups. The average age of CRS patients was 34 years (SD ± 13). In the refractory CRS group, there was no significant difference between patients with or without humoral immunodeficiency based on age, gender and status of allergy, polyps and revision. Low level of one of the major immunoglobulin isotypes was found in 15 patients (6 %). Six patients had low IgG, two had low IgA, and seven had low IgM. IgG subclasses were low in 37 patients (14 %), and IgG4 was the most common deficient subclass. Multiple immunoglobulins deficiencies were found in eight patients. Compared with the control group, CRS patients had a significant higher prevalence of major immunoglobulins as well as total major immunoglobulins and IgG subclasses deficiency. Because of high prevalence of subtle humoral immunodeficiency in medically resistant CRS and inability to find unique clinical and demographic characteristic of these patients, we recommend routine screening of major immunoglobulins and IgG subclasses on the group of CRS patients who failed medical treatment.

Humoral Primary Immunodeficiencies in Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) may be the primary presenting symptom for primary immunodeficiencies (PID). PID can affect the humoral or the cellular immune system. This paper provides an overview of PID which affect the humoral immune system, with details around the diagnostic criteria, the epidemiology, the subtypes, the clinical manifestations, underlying molecular mechanisms, methods to screen for PID and the management of CRS in the context of PID. A high clinical suspicion of PID is required when assessing patients with CRS who are refractory to maximal medical therapy.

The significance of osteitis in rhinosinusitis

Rhinosinusitis is a disease of multifactorial aetiology. As a profession our insight into this pathological process has progressed enormously over the last few decades. The contribution from environmental, host immunity, microbiology and anatomical factors is well recognised, if not completely understood. The involvement of underlying bone in rhinosinusitis was first recognised experimentally in animals and has subsequently been highlighted as a potentially significant finding in humans with CRS. In this review, the role of bone in chronic rhinosinusitis and the evidence behind that role are discussed. Both histological and radiological findings are presented and the subsequent potential clinical impact and relevance of osteitis in rhinosinusitis patients. Future pathways for research to add to the current knowledge of the impact of bony involvement are also discussed.