Sinusitis may be connected to a 40% elevated risk of rheumatic disease
A study published in the open access journal RMD Open revealed that the common inflammatory condition sinusitis is associated with a 40% increased risk of subsequent diagnosis of rheumatic disease. This risk is particularly notable in the 5 to 10 years leading up to the onset of symptoms.
Sinusitis involves inflammation of the sinuses, the air-filled cavities behind the cheekbones and forehead. Previous research suggests a connection between lung irritants like air pollution and respiratory infections, and conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. However, it remains uncertain whether sinusitis could predispose individuals to other rheumatic diseases.
The scientists conducted a control study using data from the Rochester Epidemiology Project (REP), a medical records-linkage system covering over 500,000 individuals between 1966 and 2014. The study sample comprised 1729 adults newly diagnosed with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases or vasculitis, matched with 5187 individuals without rheumatic disease based on age and sex. Patients' history of sinusitis before rheumatic disease diagnosis was analysed in time segments of 1 to 5 years, 5 to 10 years, and over 10 years. Factors such as age, BMI, smoking status, sex, race, and ethnicity were considered in the analysis.
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