COVID-19 Infection associated with Risk of Chronic Rhinosinusitis, suggests study
Researchers have discovered in a new research that COVID-19 infection is associated with an increased risk of a subsequent diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). This suggests a possible link between COVID-19 and the development of ongoing sinonasal inflammatory disease. However, further research is required to clarify the underlying mechanisms and to better define this relationship.
A study was done to analyze the impact of COVID-19 infection on the diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).
TriNetX, a large international database of anonymized health records, was queried for adults with either positive or negative SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests between March 1, 2020 and December 31, 2024. Patients with cancer or immunodeficiency before the COVID-19 diagnosis were excluded. Propensity score matching was used to create comparable exposure and control groups. Relative risk ratios and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis of CRS diagnosis were calculated 3 months after PCR testing. Sub-analyses were completed to investigate the effects of prior COVID-19 infection on subsequent CRS development stratified by prior vaccination status and by variant-dominant time periods (pre-Delta, Delta, and Omicron).
Results: Propensity score-matched COVID-19+ and COVID-19− cohorts each consisted of 2,135,446 patients. Rate of diagnosis of CRS increased following a positive COVID-19 PCR test (RR = 2.13, 95% CI [2.10–2.16]) and varied across variant-dominant periods, with risk ratios of 1.44 (95% CI [1.41–1.47]) during pre-Delta, 1.20 (95% CI [1.15–1.25]) during Delta, and 2.10 (95% CI [2.07–2.13]) during Omicron. Prior COVID-19 vaccination did not modify the risk of CRS among patients with a positive COVID-19 PCR (RR = 0.98, 95% CI [0.92–1.05]).
COVID-19 infection was found to increase the risk of subsequent diagnosis of CRS. Further studies are needed to better understand the relationship between COVID-19 and the development of sinonasal inflammatory pathology.
Reference:
Z. Whong, A. Malik, A. N. Calder, M. F. Armstrong, and T. A. Schuman, “ COVID-19 Infection Increases the Risk of Subsequent Diagnosis of Chronic Rhinosinusitis,” The Laryngoscope (2026): 1–6, https://doi.org/10.1002/lary.70444.
Keywords:
COVID-19, Infection, Risk, Chronic Rhinosinusitis, The Laryngoscope, Z. Whong, A. Malik, A. N. Calder, M. F. Armstrong, and T. A. Schuman,
Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.
NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.