Clinical predictors of chronic rhinosinusitis.

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is diagnosed by the presence of signs and symptoms of CRS in conjunction with physical evidence of mucosal inflammation. We sought to identify symptoms that predict CRS.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of patients referred to a tertiary care rhinology clinic for evaluation of CRS. Symptom survey data and diagnoses were reviewed.

Results: Of 187 patients who met inclusion criteria, 112 (60%) were diagnosed with CRS and 75 (40%) were not. Chronic purulent rhinorrhea (odds ratio [OR], 2.2) and hyposmia (OR, 2.3) individually and in combination (OR, 3.8) were significant predictors of CRS. The major criteria of the 1997 Task Force in Rhinology (TFR) also predicted CRS (OR, 1.9) but the minor criteria did not (OR, 0.3).

Conclusion: In this preliminary study, purulent rhinorrhea and hyposmia are strong predictors of CRS. The major criteria of the TFR also predict CRS but the minor criteria do not.