BMI as a risk factor for the development of chronic rhinosinusitis: a prospective population-based study

Purpose Obesity is a growing, global health problem and previous cross-sectional studies have demonstrated an association between obesity and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). There is, however, a lack of prospective studies regarding the impact of obesity on developing (new-onset) CRS. Methods Questionnaire-based data (n = 5769) relating to new-onset CRS and Body Mass Index (BMI) were collected in 2013 and 2018 from the Telemark population study in Telemark, Norway. Odds ratios for the risk of new-onset CRS in 2018 in relation to BMI in 2013 were calculated, adjusted for smoking habits, asthma, gender and age. Results When comparing the group with normal weight (18.5 <= BMI < 25) with the obese group (BMI >= 30), the odds of new-onset CRS was 53% higher [OR 1.53 (1.11, 2.10)] in the obese group. Conclusion CRS is a multifactorial disease with different phenotypes and it is important to consider obesity when assessing patients with CRS in a clinical setting.