Prevalence of Potential Adult Chronic Rhinosinusitis Symptoms in the United States.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional analysis of a national survey database (NHANES).
PubMed 29737908 · doi:10.1177/0194599818774006
What was done
Analyzed 2013–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) taste and smell supplement data to estimate the prevalence of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) symptoms in US adults after excluding individuals with an active head cold. Symptoms assessed were discolored nasal mucus, nasal blockage, sinus pain, and dysosmia, along with the proportion reporting two or more cardinal symptoms.
What was found
In an analyzed weighted population representing 113.5 million adults (mean age 58.2 years; 52.6% female): - Dysosmia: 8.1% (9.17 million) - Nasal blockage: 6.0% (6.90 million) - Sinus pain: 2.1% (2.37 million) - Discolored mucus: 1.1% (1.28 million) - Exactly one symptom: 13.0% (14.8 million) - Two or more symptoms: 2.1% (2.37 million) There was no significant difference in the prevalence of two or more symptoms between males (1.9%) and females (2.2%, P = .690).
Why it matters
Establishes a national benchmark for the point prevalence of symptom clusters compatible with chronic rhinosinusitis in the general adult population.
Limits
The raw sample size (unweighted n) is not stated in the abstract. Symptom presence was self-reported without objective clinical verification (such as nasal endoscopy or CT imaging) or assessment of symptom duration (typically ≥12 weeks required for formal CRS diagnosis).