Chronic sinusitis Inflamed sinuses in Europe a folk disease

One in ten Europeans suffer from inflammation of the sinuses and nasal mucosa
Chronic inflammations of the paranasal sinuses and nasal mucosa (chronic rhinosinusitis) are in a widespread condition. Researchers led by Deniz Hastan from the University of Amsterdam had already published a study in 2011, according to which almost 11 percent of the population in Europe suffer from chronic inflammation of the nasal mucosa and sinuses. Chronic rhinosinusitis can therefore be considered a widespread disease.

In total, the study by Deniz Hastan's research team took into account the data of 57,128 participants from 19 treatment centers in 12 European countries. According to the criteria of the completed questionnaire, 10.9 percent of the subjects suffered from chronic nasal mucosa and sinusitis. Smokers were affected much more frequently than non-smokers, the scientists report. There were also significant regional differences in the diseases.

Invading viruses and bacteria can trigger inflammation of the sinuses. (Image: goa novi / fotolia.com)

Regional differences in disease rates in Germany
For Germany, the scientists had data from Duisburg and Brandenburg, with the patients in Duisburg having a relatively high morbidity rate (14.1 percent), whereas in Brandenburg only about seven percent of the subjects were ill. However, many sufferers are probably unaware of their condition, as only 4.6 percent of patients in Brandenburg and 8.4 percent of patients in Duisburg reported having had a medical diagnosis. Overall, the highest disease rates in Europe were found in Coimbra, Portugal, where 27.1 percent of patients suffered from chronic inflammation of the nasal mucosa and sinuses.

Air pollution as a cause of sinusitis?
Researchers conclude that regional differences in disease rates are difficult to explain. Air pollution may play a role in the deviations between Brandenburg and Duisburg. In the past decades, Brandenburg was a rather rural area on the outskirts of Berlin, while Duisburg, as a city in the Ruhr area, was marked by the steel and coal industries. Correspondingly, air pollution can provide an explanation for the different rates of morbidity, because it is, among other things, a potential risk factor for "non-allergic, non-infectious rhinitis," write Hastan and colleagues.

At worst, surgery is required
According to the German Professional Association of Otolaryngologists, the cause of an inflammation is usually a viral infection, with persistent symptoms in the form of chronic rhinosinusitis urgently requiring treatment. Chronic inflammation could permanently impair the functioning of the sinus system. In the worst case, the inflammation of the sinuses will spread to other areas. The last option of the treatment therefore sometimes remains just an operation. But most conservative therapies, which include nasal rinsing with saline solutions and the administration of cortisone preparations in the form of nasal spray or tablets, quite promising, reports the German Professional Association of Otolaryngologists. (Fp)