Sex-based differences in severity of chronic rhinosinusitis as reported by SNOT-22 scores

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a widely prevalent condition, however its degree of severity according to sex requires further study. The literature shows that sex-based differences exist in the severity of asthma and allergic airway disease in the population. These findings point to a potential hormonal cause for this difference, but there is no study suggesting the role of sex in CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). The purpose of this study was to examine the association of sex and CRSwNP severity in the United States.

This study was conducted on data gathered from 181 participants in the NAVIGATE I and NAVIGATE II randomized control trials within the OPTINOSE database. Participants were analyzed based on sex controlling for airway-related comorbidities, including history of asthma, race, and ethnicity. SNOT-22 scores were assessed as a quality-of-life outcome measure for CRS. The association between sex and SNOT-22 scores was determined using multiple linear regression.

There were 81 female and 100 male participants. SNOT-22 scores were significantly higher in females. The average reported SNOT-22 score was 53.8 ± 16.5 in females and 46.8 ± 18.8 in males. On adjusted regression, the association of sex and SNOT-22 scores approached but didn't reach significance (β: -4.97; 95 % CI: -10.68-0.73; p = 0.09).

On average, females had more severe manifestations of CRSwNP in comparison to males, with the adjusted association approaching statistical significance. Further studies, potentially looking at hormones as a cause of pathogenesis, are needed to better elucidate the role of sex in CRSwNP.