Public Knowledge and Factors Associated With Familiarity of Treatments for Rhinosinusitis

Rhinosinusitis is a common otolaryngologic condition with many over-the-counter (OTC), prescription, and surgical treatment options. This study seeks to evaluate public familiarity with treatments for rhinosinusitis.

Cross-sectional survey.

US adult (≥18 years) online survey respondents.

A cross-sectional survey was administered to US adults via ResearchMatch. Questions included a demographic questionnaire, validated nasal obstruction surveys, personal history of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), as well as familiarity with various treatments for rhinosinusitis (5-point Likert scale). Descriptive statistics were utilized to describe results, and multivariable ordinal regression was utilized to describe factors associated with knowledge of any treatment and over-the-counter treatments.

The cohort (n = 1086) was primarily female (75.7%), white (80.3%), married (47.5%), and college educated (36.6%). Highest rates of familiarity with treatment were reported for antihistamines (80%), decongestants (80%), and nasal corticosteroids (78%). Factors associated with knowledge of any rhinosinusitis treatment included age (odds ratio [OR]: 0.99 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.98-0.99]), literacy score (OR: 0.76 [95% CI: 0.71-0.82]), CRS diagnosis (OR: 2.91 [95% CI: 2.25-3.75]), and symptomatic score. Factors associated with knowledge of OTC treatments included female gender (OR: 2.40 [95% CI: 1.82-3.16]), literacy score (OR: 0.77 [95% CI: 0.72-0.83]), CRS diagnosis (OR: 2.94 [95% CI: 2.25-3.83]), and symptomatic score.

Individuals at risk for having lower familiarity with treatment options include males, older individuals, and those with lower health literacy. Future studies should evaluate the impact that public knowledge and primary care provider knowledge of treatment options for rhinosinusitis has on outcomes of rhinosinusitis.