From allergic rhinitis to sinus disease (sinusitis/polyposis): epidemiological and experimental links

The relationships between rhinitis and chronic sinusitis are close and comp lex, those between allergic rhinitis and nasal polyposis are controversial. These relationships can be demonstrated not only in terms of anatomy, phys iology and epidemiology (by comparing the prevalence of one disease in pati ents suffering from the other disease), but also experimentally (by studyin g the sinus involvement following nasal allergen provocations), and pathoph ysiologically (by phenotyping and comparing the inflammation present in bot h diseases). Results of such studies ni-e convincing and have confirmed the fundamental role of nasal inflammation in general and allergic inflammatio n in particular in the genesis of sinusitis (it is now therefore recommende d to utilize the term 'rhinosinusitis'). The importance of allergy in the e tiologic development of nasal polyps remains controversal and doubtful. Bec ause the diagnosis of allergic allergic rhinitis provides useful therapeuti c options, an appropriate evaluation for underlying allergies is indicated in any patient with chronic upper respiratory tract symptoms.