title: Occurrence and impact of sinusitis in patients with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis.
abstract: The occurrence of radiological sinusitis in patients with asthma without any obvious nasal symptoms could possibly increase the severity of asthma. We investigated the occurrence and impact of sinusitis on computed tomography of the paranasal sinuses (CT-PNS) in patients with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis. Effect of sinusitis on the quality of life (QoL) was also assessed.
  
  
  
  All subjects underwent spirometry with reversibility, CT-PNS, intradermal test against common aeroallergens and responded to Symptom Severity Score and Rhinosinusitis Disability Index (RSDI). Of the 216 consecutive patients, 27 had asthma without nasal symptoms (Group 1), 58 had asthma with allergic rhinitis (Group 2) and 131 had allergic rhinitis (Group 3). Thirty normal healthy controls without atopy were also included (Group 4).
  
  
  
  20/27 (74%) patients in Group 1 had sinusitis on CT-PNS. 48/58 (82%) patients in Group 2 and 88/131 (67%) patients in Group 3 had chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) as confirmed on CT-PNS. 6/30 (20%) healthy controls in Group 4 had mucosal thickening. Asthmatics with radiological sinusitis in Group 1 and with CRS in Group 2 had significantly lower FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio, were more symptomatic and had a greater impairment of QoL. The mean sinus severity score was significantly higher in Group 2. In Group 3, sinusitis occurred significantly higher in "blockers" than "sneezers-runners" (41/79 versus 47/52, p = 0.045).
  
  
  
  Occurrence of radiological sinusitis on CT-PNS in asthmatics without nasal symptoms and CRS in allergic rhinitis with or without asthma increases the severity of the disease and affects the QoL.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Respiratory Medicine , Vallabhbhai Patel Chest lnstitute, University of Delhi , Delhi , India.
authors.forename: Sandeep
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sahay
authors.affiliation: a Department of Respiratory Medicine , Vallabhbhai Patel Chest lnstitute, University of Delhi , Delhi , India.
authors.forename: Kamal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gera
authors.affiliation: b Department of Radiology , University College of Medical Sciences (University of Delhi) & G.T.B. Hospital , Delhi , India.
authors.forename: Satish K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Bhargava
authors.affiliation: a Department of Respiratory Medicine , Vallabhbhai Patel Chest lnstitute, University of Delhi , Delhi , India.
authors.forename: Ashok
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shah
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010256:Paranasal Sinuses / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D065631:Rhinitis, Allergic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Allergic rhinitis; CT-PNS; asthma; imaging; quality of life; sinusitis; “blockers”; “sneezers-runners”