Sinusitis may be connected to a 40% elevated risk of rheumatic disease

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.

The findings showed that the average time from sinusitis to rheumatic disease diagnosis was around 7.5 years, with rheumatoid arthritis and polymyalgia rheumatica being the most common diagnoses. Sinusitis history was linked to a 40% higher risk of any new rheumatic disease. The association was strongest 5–10 years before symptom onset, with a 70% higher overall risk.

The more frequent the episodes of sinusitis, the greater were the chances of a new rheumatic disease diagnosis. Serial episodes of sinusitis without a previous history also showed a significant dose-response association, rising to a risk for 5 or more episodes.

Reference: RMD Open; DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2023-003622