Presentation and treatment of acute maxillary sinusitis in general practice: a French observational study

This survey-based study was conducted to determine the characteristics that influence the diagnosis and treatment patterns of acute maxillary sinusitis among general practitioners in France. Questionnaires were sent to 467 physicians and requested to be completed for the next 4 adult (≥ 15 years) patients diagnosed with acute maxillary sinusitis. A total of 397 physicians responded with eligible data on 1585 patients (57.5% female; mean age, 42.3 years). The most common presenting signs and symptoms were moderate-to-severe nasal obstruction (80.4%), pain on sinus palpitation (76.8%), facial pain (74.5%), rhinorrhea (70.4%), and headache (63.6%). Local treatments were prescribed in 93.2% of cases, including nasal lavage (52.1%), vasoconstrictors (42.2%), and intranasal corticosteroids (38.7%). Almost all patients (99%) were prescribed oral treatment including antibiotics (86.5%), analgesics (56.3%), antipyretics (53.7%), and expectorants/mucolytics (45.6%). Symptoms were indicated as having a moderate to very significant effect on quality of life areas including activities of daily living (71.6% of patients), leisure (63.1%), and professional/school activities (59.2%). The diagnosis and management patterns of acute maxillary sinusitis among general practitioners in France are generally consistent with the 2007 European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps (EP3OS) guidelines.