Chronic Rhinosinusitis and COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has raised awareness about olfactory dysfunction, although a loss of smell was present in the general population before COVID-19. Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common upper airway chronic inflammatory disease that is also one of the most common causes of olfactory dysfunction. It can be classified into different phenotypes (ie, with and without nasal polyps) and endotypes (ie, type 2 and non-type 2 inflammation). However, scientific information regarding CRS within the context of COVID-19 is still scarce. This review focuses on (1) the potential effects of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection on CRS symptoms, including a loss of smell, and comorbidities; (2) the pathophysiologic mechanisms involved in the olfactory dysfunction; (3) CRS diagnosis in the context of COVID-19, including telemedicine; (4) the protective hypothesis of CRS in COVID-19; and (5) the efficacy and safety of therapeutic options for CRS within the context of COVID-19. (C) 2022 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology

Automated summary

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased awareness of olfactory dysfunction, with chronic rhinosinusitis being one of the common causes. However, there is still limited scientific information about chronic rhinosinusitis in the context of COVID-19. This review focuses on the potential effects of COVID-19 on chronic rhinosinusitis symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options.