Asthma and COPD Patients With Chronic Rhinosinusitis at Higher Risk for Non-CF Bronchiectasis, Study Finds

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) increases the risk of developing non-cystic fibrosis (CF) bronchiectasis, especially in patients with asthma or COPD, according to a retrospective analysis of electronic medical records published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice.

Chronic rhinosinusitis is a disease characterized by inflammation of the nasal mucosa and sinuses, with a prevalence estimated at 5%-12% in North America and Europe. Bronchiectasis, a clinical syndrome defined by airway abnormalities, has seen an increase in incidence and prevalence in recent years. Studies have shown an overlap between chronic rhinosinusitis and bronchiectasis, with potential implications on disease severity and quality of life.

The aim of the study was to investigate the potential link between chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and the development of CF bronchiectasis. A retrospective analysis was conducted using electronic medical records from an academic center to identify patients with CRS without bronchiectasis who had at least one chest CT scan after diagnosis between 2006 and 2015. Patient charts were reviewed until May 2022, with a control group matched for age, sex, and race, including patients without CRS, asthma, or COPD who had at least one chest CT scan. Bronchiectasis was identified through chest CT radiology reports, and the odds of developing it were analyzed in 2 cohorts: patients with CRS without asthma or COPD and patients with CRS with asthma or COPD.

Patients with CRS had a significantly higher risk of developing bronchiectasis compared to those in the control group. The odds of developing bronchiectasis were also found to be higher in cohort 1 and cohort 2 compared to the control group. After adjusting for confounding diseases, the association between CRS and bronchiectasis remained significant in cohort 2 but was attenuated in cohort 1.
“The CRS is associated with the future development of non-CF bronchiectasis. Patients with CRS, especially those with asthma or COPD, have a higher likelihood of developing bronchiectasis than patients without CRS,” said researchers. 

Reference
Lim Kim, S, Schwartz, B, Thanh-Huyen, V, et al. Associations between chronic rhinosinusitis and the development of non–cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. Published online August 4, 2024. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2024.07.027