Prevalence of chronic rhinosinusitis in children with dyspepsia–A cross sectional study

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a complex condition that has been found to affect both adults and children. Risk factors associated with CRS are allergy, asthma, immunodeficiency, GERD/Helicobacter pylori, anatomic obstruction, genetics, congenital and environmental factors and irritants. Chronic rhinosinusitis is defined as a symptomatic inflammatory condition of mucosa of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, the fluids within these sinuses, and/or the underlying bone for duration of greater than 12 weeks. Chronic rhinosinusitis affects 5–15% of populations worldwide. It has a significant impact on quality of life and has a negative economic impact due to rising treatment costs. This study attempted to determine the prevalence of CRS in children diagnosed with dyspepsia. Study methodology: This was a hospital based cross sectional descriptive study that was carried out at one public tertiary facility and one private tertiary facility. Ninety-six children diagnosed with dyspepsia were proportionately selected from the two hospitals using simple random sampling. CRS and dyspepsia were clinically diagnosed and Rome III criteria used for dyspepsia. Baseline characteristics were compared and Spearman Rho’ Chi Square test was used to test associations. Logistic regression assessed the association between multiple variables. Results: Ninety-six children with dyspepsia were analyzed for H. pylori antigen by means of a stool test, Reflux symptom index and CRS. CRS was present in 41.7% of dyspeptic patients, H. pylori in 60.4% and GERD in 78.5%. CRS with GERD had OR 38.07 (p value 0.00001), CRS with H. pylori had OR 2.95 (p value = 0.0252) and CRS with GERD and H. Pylori had OR 20.05 (p value 0.001). Conclusion: Chronic rhinosinusitis was diagnosed in more than 40% of children with dyspepsia. The odds of CRS being present in children diagnosed to have GERD increases significantly as demonstrated in this study