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almost always accompanied by inflammation of the contiguous nasal mucosa, hence a more accurate term rhinosinusitis has superseded the terms rhinitis and sinusitis (1)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 (multisinusitis), 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.