Chronic Rhinosinusitis and Mental Health

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) has been associated with anxiety and depression, but the association of socioeconomic factors and temporality has yet to be fully explored.

To determine the bidirectional risk of anxiety and depression for patients with CRS.

This retrospective cohort study of the National Institutes of Health All of Us database from January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2018, included 2 cohorts of adult patients with and without CRS. The data were analyzed from July 1, 2023, through April 1, 2024. Patients were classified as having CRS if they had at least 2 diagnoses during the study period. Those with a diagnosis of CRS before the study period were excluded. Patients were propensity score matched (1:5) with patients without CRS for age, sex, race, and annual household income.

The primary outcome was the development of anxiety and depression. Patients with CRS were counted as having the primary outcome if it occurred after the criteria for CRS diagnosis were fulfilled. Multivariate logistic regression and survival analysis were performed to determine the odds ratios (ORs) and hazard ratios (HRs) of anxiety and depression. A secondary survival analysis determined the risk of developing CRS between patients with anxiety and depression and controls.

Among 33 732 patients (23 382 [69.3%] female individuals; 510 [1.5%] Asian, 6002 [17.9%] Black or African American, 576 [1.7%] multiracial, and 26 036 [77.2%] White individuals), there were 28 110 controls and 5622 patients with CRS. Along with higher odds of having anxiety (OR, 4.39; 95% CI, 3.95-4.87) and depression (OR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.86-2.24), patients with CRS were at an increased risk of developing anxiety (HR, 2.79; 95% CI, 2.47-3.15) and depression (HR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.27-1.55) compared with controls. Additionally, patients with anxiety (HR, 2.37; 95% CI, 2.18-2.57) and depression (HR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.46-1.72) were at an increased risk of developing chronic rhinosinusitis compared with controls.

In this population-based cohort study of adults with and without CRS, a bidirectional association between common psychiatric disorders and CRS was observed. Physicians and health care clinicians who treat patients with anxiety, depression, and CRS should be vigilant regarding these risks and screen patients appropriately.