Allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, and symptom severity: a population-based study.
BACKGROUND
Approximately 20% of the U.S. population suffers from allergic rhinitis (AR), and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is estimated to affect 12.5% of the population. Frequently, many patients suffer from both disorders. In this study, we evaluated the relationship between AR and chronic rhinosinusitis as far as impact on nasal symptoms in a community-based case-control study of adult nonsmokers.


METHODS
In Washington County, MD, 200 subjects were recruited and interviewed from the same community. Subjects were divided into 4 study groups: AR without CRS, CRS without AR, AR with CRS, and a control group without AR or CRS. A validated questionnaire was used to assess upper respiratory symptoms, and disease-specific quality of life.


RESULTS
Upper respiratory symptoms were significantly more severe for the affected subjects when compared to controls. Symptom severity was greatest for the CRS groups with or without AR, followed by AR without CRS, and controls least symptomatic. Subjects with AR plus CRS were most likely to have had previous nasal surgery, and use nasal decongestants when compared to the other groups.


CONCLUSIONS
While both AR and CRS are common in the United States, it appears that patients who suffer from both disorders have more severe symptoms and are more likely to have undergone nasal surgery than if they have only 1 of these disease states.
Johns Hopkins Sinus Center, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Baltimore, MD. slin30@jhmi.edu
Sandra Y
SY
Lin
Douglas D
DD
Reh
Ana
A
Navas-Acien
D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology