Do Patients With Chronic Rhinosinusitis Exhibit Elevated Rates of Covid-19 Infection?

Abstract

Patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) may have concerns regarding their potential for an increased likelihood of contracting Covid-19, given baseline inflammatory disease and utilization of topical or oral immunosuppressive therapies for disease treatment. In the present study, we utilize matched cohort sampling of over 12,000 CRS patients and 12,000 controls seen between June of 2020 and January of 2021, examining rates of Covid-19 testing and positivity during that time period. We found no difference in Covid-19 contraction between CRS patients and matched non-CRS patients, despite an almost twofold significant increase in testing among those with CRS. This suggests that CRS patients are likely not inherently more vulnerable to Covid-19 infection at a rate above that of the general population. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 132:257-258, 2022.