title: Predisposing factors associated with chronic and recurrent rhinosinusitis in childhood.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is currently no information regarding predisposing factors for chronic and recurrent rhinosinusitis (RS), although these are considered to be multifactorial in origin, and allergic diseases contribute to their pathogenesis. We evaluated the predisposing factors that may be associated with chronic and recurrent RS.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective study, we examined patients with RS younger than 13 years of age, diagnosed with RS at six tertiary referral hospitals in Korea between October and December, 2006. Demographic and clinical data related to RS were recorded and analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 296 patients were recruited. Acute RS was the most frequent type: 56.4% of the patients had acute RS. The prevalences of other types of RS, in descending order, were chronic RS (18.9%), subacute RS (13.2%), and recurrent RS (11.5%). Factors associated with recurrent RS were similar to those of chronic RS. Patients with chronic and recurrent RS were significantly older than those with acute and subacute RS. The prevalences of allergic rhinitis, atopy, and asthma were significantly higher in patients with chronic and recurrent RS than those with acute and subacute RS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An association between atopy and chronic/recurrent RS, compared to acute and subacute RS, suggests a possible causal link.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sun-Hee
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Man-Yong
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Young-Min
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.forename: Yong-Mean
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Chang-Keun
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hyun-Hee
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Young-Yull
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Koh
authors.forename: Yeong-Ho
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Rha