Regional variations in chronic rhinosinusitis, 2003-2006.
OBJECTIVE
1. Characterize patient visits for chronic rhinosinusitis on the basis of age, gender, race, diagnostic services, and medication use. 2. Evaluate regional differences in patient visits for chronic rhinosinusitis.


METHODS
Analysis of cross-sectional survey data from two national databases of ambulatory medical encounters.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Four years (2003-2006) of data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey were analyzed. Visits involving chronic rhinosinusitis were identified by using reported diagnostic codes from the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision. They were weighted to provide national estimates of care. Data were analyzed with the Pearson chi(2) test using the SPSS 16.2 Complex Samples Module, taking into account the complex survey design and multiple time periods.


RESULTS
A total of 4617 patient visits for chronic rhinosinusitis were identified, accounting for 1.95 percent of all visits. With the application of weights to this sample, these visits represent 91.2 million national visits. A significantly higher proportion of visits in the South involved African Americans (Pearson chi(2) = 69.5, F = 6.7, df = 2.8, 2118, P < 0.01). Significantly fewer diagnostic services were provided or ordered in the Northeast (Pearson chi(2) = 64.8, F = 4.0, df = 4.3, 3247, P < 0.01). Providers in the Northeast were also significantly less likely to order or renew more than three medications at the visit (Pearson chi(2) = 54.0, F = 3.1, df = 2.6, 1930, P < 0.05). No regional differences were seen for age, gender, or setting type.


CONCLUSIONS
Significant regional variations exist for chronic rhinosinusitis in patient demographics, diagnosis, and management. Continuing research is needed to refine physician awareness, evaluation, and treatment of this disorder.
Smith
Wendy M
WM
Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Continuing Medical Education, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA 92103-8895, USA. wmsmith@ucsd.edu
Davidson
Terence M
TM
Murphy
Claire
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity / Q000639:trends; D009819:Office Visits / Q000639:trends*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult