The effect of acute rhinosinusitis on pulmonary function in adults

Abstract

Objective:

To evaluate the influence of acute rhinosinusitis on lung function as measured by spirometry.

Method:

An observational study in Danish general practice on 25 adult patients with a clinical diagnosis of acute rhinosinusitis and without any signs of chronic lung disease or allergy. Patients performed spirometry at the initial acute visit and then eight weeks later when the rhinosinusitis had resolved.

Results:

Eight weeks after the initial visit there was a significant increase in the maximum mid-expiratory flow (F_25–75), and in peak flow.

Conclusion:

Acute rhinosinusitis in adults without any sign of chronic lung disease or allergy is accompanied by a temporary reduction in maximum mid-expiratory flow and peak flow. This may be caused by subclinical inflammation in the airways during acute rhinosinusitis. Further studies with extended lung function measurements are needed to evaluate and confirm this finding.