Article

Chronic rhinosinusitis in Europe--an underestimated disease. A GA²LEN study.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Allergy (impact factor: 6.27). 05/2011; 66(9):1216-23. DOI:10.1111/j.1398-9995.2011.02646.x pp.1216-23
Source: PubMed

ABSTRACT Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common health problem, with significant medical costs and impact on general health. Even so, prevalence figures for Europe are unavailable. In this study, conducted by the GA²LEN network of excellence, the European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and nasal Polyps (EP³OS) diagnostic criteria are applied to estimate variation in the prevalence of Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) for Europe.
A postal questionnaire was sent to a random sample of adults aged 15-75 years in 19 centres in Europe. Participants reported symptoms of CRS, and doctor diagnosed CRS, allergic rhinitis, age, gender and smoking history. Definition of CRS was based on the EP³OS diagnostic criteria: the presence of more than two of the symptoms: (i) nasal blockage, (ii) nasal discharge, (iii) facial pain/pressure or (iv) reduction in sense of smell, for >12 weeks in the past year--with at least one symptom being nasal blockage or discharge.
Information was obtained from 57,128 responders living in 19 centres in 12 countries. The overall prevalence of CRS by EP³OS criteria was 10.9% (range 6.9-27.1). CRS was more common in smokers than in nonsmokers (OR 1.7: 95% CI 1.6-1.9). The prevalence of self-reported physician-diagnosed CRS within centres was highly correlated with the prevalence of EP³OS-diagnosed CRS.
This is the first European international multicentre prevalence study of CRS. In this multicentre survey of adults in Europe, about one in ten participants had CRS with marked geographical variation. Smoking was associated with having CRS in all parts of Europe.

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  • Article: Cigarette smoking is associated with high prevalence of chronic rhinitis and low prevalence of allergic rhinitis in men
    Jonas Eriksson,, Linda Ekerljung,, Britt-Marie Sundblad,, Jan Lötvall,, Kjell Torén,, Eva Rönmark,, Kjell Larsson,, Bo Lundbäck
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    ABSTRACT: Background The harmful effects of tobacco smoke on human health, including respiratory health, are extensive and well documented. Previous data on the effect of smoking on rhinitis and allergic sensitization are inconsistent. We sought to investigate how smoking correlates with prevalence of allergic and chronic rhinitis among adults in Sweden. Methods The study population comprised 27 879 subjects derived from three large randomly selected cross-sectional population surveys conducted in Sweden between 2006 and 2008. The same postal questionnaire on respiratory health was used in the three surveys, containing questions about obstructive respiratory diseases, rhinitis, respiratory symptoms and possible determinants of disease, including smoking habits. A random sample from one of the cohorts underwent a clinical examination including skin prick testing. Results Smoking was associated with a high prevalence of chronic rhinitis in both men and women and a low prevalence of allergic rhinitis in men. These associations were dose dependent and remained when adjusted for a number of possible confounders in multiple logistic regression analysis. Prevalence of chronic rhinitis was lowest in nonsmokers and highest in very heavy smokers (18.5% vs 34.5%, P < 0.001). Prevalence of sensitization to common airborne allergens was lower in current smokers (25.9%, P = 0.008) and ex-smokers (28.2%, P = 0.022) than in nonsmokers (38.5%). Conclusion We found that smoking was associated with a high prevalence of chronic rhinitis in both sexes and a low prevalence of allergic rhinitis in men. The associations were dose dependent and remained when adjusting for several possible confounders.
    Allergy 01/2013; · 6.27 Impact Factor
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Keywords

Chronic rhinosinusitis
 
common health problem
 
EP³OS criteria
 
EP³OS diagnostic criteria
 
EP³OS-diagnosed CRS
 
estimate variation
 
European Position Paper
 
first European international multicentre prevalence study
 
GA²LEN network
 
geographical variation
 
multicentre survey
 
nasal Polyps
 
nonsmokers
 
postal questionnaire
 
prevalence figures
 
random sample
 
self-reported physician-diagnosed CRS
 
significant medical costs
 
smoking history
 
ten participants