Obesity, Weight Loss, and Rhinology and Allergy

Obesity is a common comorbidity in patients with rhinologic and allergic disease. Through adipokine mediated inflammation, emerging evidence has linked obesity with an increased risk and severity of chronic rhinosinusitis, particularly the nasal polyp phenotype. Reduction of body mass through bariatric surgery and pharmacologic interventions, including glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, have the potential to reduce sinonasal disease burden and improve surgical outcomes. This review synthesizes current evidence surrounding obesity, weight loss, and rhinology and allergy, with an emphasis on clinically actionable implications for the practicing otolaryngologist.