Chronic Rhinosinusitis Epidemiology and Management
Summary
Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a prevalent inflammatory disorder of the nasal and paranasal sinus mucosa lasting more than 12 weeks. Globally, its estimated prevalence ranges from 5% to 12% of the adult population, imposing a considerable socio-economic burden through reduced quality of life, lost productivity and frequent healthcare use. Epidemiological studies reveal multifactorial aetiologies, including host susceptibility, environmental exposures and microbial dysbiosis. Advances in pathophysiological understanding have shifted classification from phenotypes based on polyp status towards endotypes defined by underlying immunological profiles, notably type-2 inflammation characterised by elevated interleukins and eosinophilic infiltration. Management strategies encompass saline irrigation, intranasal corticosteroids and systemic therapies, with endoscopic sinus surgery reserved for refractory cases. Emerging targeted biologic agents, directed at key inflammatory mediators such as interleukin-5 and immunoglobulin E, offer precision in patients with severe, recalcitrant disease. Integrated care pathways now emphasise multidisciplinary assessment, incorporating allergy specialists, pulmonologists and radiologists to address comorbidities and optimise long-term outcomes.
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Chronic Rhinosinusitis Epidemiology and Management publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in chronic rhinosinusitis epidemiology and management across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Chronic rhinosinusitis: Persistent inflammation of the nasal and paranasal sinus mucosa for at least 12 weeks.
Endotype: A subgroup of disease defined by a distinct pathophysiological mechanism rather than by clinical phenotype.
Eosinophil: A type of white blood cell implicated in type-2 inflammatory responses and tissue damage in CRS.
Biologic therapy: A treatment modality using monoclonal antibodies or receptor antagonists to neutralise specific inflammatory mediators.
Particulate matter (PM2.5): Airborne particles with diameter ≤2.5 µm that can penetrate the respiratory tract and contribute to mucosal inflammation.
References
- ICON: chronic rhinosinusitis. World Allergy Organization Journal (2014).
- Mechanistic studies on the role of CHI3L1 in eosinophilic inflammation in chronic sinusitis. Frontiers in Immunology (2025).
- Airways Type-2 Related Disorders: Multiorgan, Systemic or Syndemic Disease?. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2024).
- Air Pollution Exposure and the Development of Chronic Rhinosinusitis in the Active Duty Population. Military Medicine (2022).
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