Evaluation of subclinical atherosclerosis in chronic sinusitis patients

Objective: This study aimed to assess the impact of chronic sinusitis (CS) on carotid-intima-media thickness (CIMT), a marker of early atherosclerotic changes in the arterial bed.
Methods: The study included 50 patients with CS (25 male, 25 female, mean age 26.6±5.34 years), and 50 healthy subjects (25 male, 25 female, mean age 25.8±4.76 years), aged 18 to 35 years without atherosclerotic risk factors, normal body mass index and normal metabolic parameters. CIMT was measured in all patients by ultrasonography. CS was confirmed by medical history and computed tomography scan of the paranasal cavities.
Results: No significant difference existed between the groups in terms of age, sex, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, plasma creatinine, glucose, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), highdensity lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol values (p>0.05). However, mean values of CIMT (mm) were significantly greater in CS patients than in healthy subjects (0.51±0.09 vs. 0.40±0.07, p<0.001). Duration of CS disease was 6.0 (3.0-13.0) years. Significant correlation was found between CIMT mean values and age, BMI, waist circumference, HDL and LDL-cholesterol values and duration of CS (r=0.413; p<0.001, r=0.353; p<0.001, r=0.355; p<0.001, r=-0.266; p=0.007, r=0.327; p<0.001 and r=0.425; p=0.002 respectively). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that waist circumference, HDL and LDL-cholesterol and duration disease of CS were independent predictors of CIMT (β=0.523; p=0.001, β=-0.176; p=0.045, β=0.297; p=0.002, and β=0.436; p<0.001, respectively).
Conclusion: Our cross-sectional study revealed the presence of a negative effect of CS on the atherosclerotic process. Therefore, it is believed that effective treatment of CS may be beneficial in slowing the process of atherosclerosis.

Keywords: Atherosclerosis, carotid intima-media thickness; chronic sinusitis; inflammation