Significance of eosinophilia in chronic rhinosinusitis

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of serum eosinophilia in the prognosis of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Eosinophils are now considered to play a major role in the pathogenesis of CRS. To date, no study has evaluated the clinical course of patients with CRS and serum eosinophilia.

A retrospective chart review of 620 patients who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery, (ESS) for CRS was performed. Thirty-one patients (5%) had elevated serum eosinophil counts and served as the study group. Patient charts of the study group and 34 (5%) controls with normal serum eosinophil counts were reviewed for comorbid diseases including asthma, polyps, and allergic fungal sinusitis. The number of ESSs performed and the postoperative recurrence of multiple sinus infections and need for antibiotics, systemic steroids, and antifungal agents were compared.

A higher proportion of patients with serum eosinophilia had a history of asthma, polyp disease, and allergic fungal sinusitis. Postoperatively, the study group had a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) as compared with controls with respect to postoperative recurrent sinus infections (94% versus 32%) and polyp disease (35% versus 3%). Statistical difference between study and control groups was also found with respect to the postoperative need for antifungal agents (23% versus 3%), multiple courses of antibiotics (84% versus 32%), and revision ESS (84% versus 24%). Although not statistically significant, a higher proportion of the study group required systemic steroids.

CRS patients with serum eosinophilia have a worse prognosis when compared with controls. Patients with eosinophilia should be counseled appropriately, and the physician should be aware of the chronicity of disease.