The Frequency and Clinical Assessment of COVID-19 in Patients With Chronic Rhinosinusitis

• Published in: Ear, nose, & throat journal nose, & throat journal, 2024-02, Vol.103 (2), p.NP98-NP103
• Main Authors: Akhlaghi, Allahkarm, Darabi, Amirhossein, Mahmoodi, Marzieh, Movahed, Ali, Kaboodkhani, Reza, Mohammadi, Zahra, Goreh, Amir, Farrokhi, Shokrollah
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Comorbidity; COVID-19; Otolaryngology; Pandemics
• ISSN: 0145-5613; 1942-7522
• DOI: 10.1177/01455613211038070

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), as an inflammatory airway disease, could be a risk factor for COVID-19 patients. This study aimed to investigate the frequency and severity of symptoms of COVID-19 in patients with CRS and to assess the association between the status of CRS symptoms and the quality of life (QoL) of the patients. Methods: In this observational and cross-sectional study, 207 adult CRS patients participated. The patients, who presented the symptoms of COVID-19, were examined by taking the reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction test. A questionnaire was completed by each patient, regarding their demographic and clinical data. In addition, the GA2LEN and Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) standard questionnaires were used to identify the comorbid allergic condition and QoL of CRS patients. Results: The frequency of patients with COVID-19 was 25 (12.1%) of which 22 were treated as outpatients, 2 of them admitted in wards and 1 at intensive care unit. The severity of hyposmia in the patients was 2 (8%) as mild, 5 (20%) moderate, and 11 (72%) as anosmia. The most common allergic and underlying comorbid diseases were allergic rhinitis (88%) and thyroid disorders (28%). Further, the average SNOT-22 score in 4 SNOT-22 domains (nasal, otologic, sleep, and emotional symptoms) was significantly decreased in CRS patients after a period of one year since the pandemic started (40.1 ± 18.0 vs. 46.3 ± 17.7; P < .0001). Discussion: This study showed a low frequency of COVID-19 in patients with CRS and about the same rate of infection positivity in the general population; therefore, we concluded that CRS could not be considered as a risk factor for COVID-19. Interestingly, the lower average score of SNOT-22 after one year of the pandemic in the patients with CRS confirmed the necessity for performing the standard health protocols by the patients.