Sinusitis is the inflammation of the mucous membranes of the paranasal sinuses. However, sinusitis is almost always accompanied by inflammation of the contiguous nasal mucosa, hence the more accurate term rhinosinusitis has superseded the terms rhinitis and sinusitis (1)
- usually results from inadequate drainage of the sinuses, typically the maxillary sinus ostium situated under the middle turbinate leading to obstruction with mucus retention and subsequent infection (1)
- may occur in one or more sinuses (multi-sinusitis), in one or both sides (1)
It is one of the most common diagnoses in primary care. In the USA;
- more than 20 million cases of acute sinusitis of viral or bacterial aetiology are diagnosed each year across all age groups, affecting an estimated 16% of the adult population and resulting in almost 12 million surgery visits per year (2)
- it is the fifth most common diagnosis responsible for antibiotic therapy - more than 1 in 5 antibiotics prescribed in adults are for sinusitis (1)
- acute sinusitis accounts for 2% to 10% of primary care and otolaryngology visits (3)
Sinusitis is generally triggered by a viral upper respiratory tract infection, with only 2% of cases being complicated by bacterial sinusitis (1). Following an episode of viral sinusitis, 0.5% to 2.0% of cases of acute viral sinusitis will progress to acute bacterial sinusitis (3)
References:
- Rosenfeld RM, Piccirillo JF, Chandrasekhar SS, et al. Clinical practice guideline (update): adult sinusitis. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015 Apr;152(2 Suppl):S1-39.
- Anand VK. Epidemiology and economic impact of rhinosinusitis. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol Suppl. 2004 May;193:3-5.
- Orlandi RR, Kingdom TT, Smith TL, et al. International consensus statement on allergy and rhinology: rhinosinusitis 2021. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2021 Mar;11(3):213-739.