Sinonasal manifestations of cystic fibrosis: a correlation between genotype and phenotype?

BACKGROUND

Patients with Cystic Fibrosis are prone to develop sinonasal disease. Studies in genotype-phenotype correlations for sinonasal disease are scarce and inconclusive.

METHODS

In this observational study several aspects of sinonasal disease were investigated in 104 adult patients with CF. In each patient a disease specific quality of life questionnaire (RSOM-31), nasal endoscopy and a CT scan of the paranasal sinuses were performed. Patients were divided into two groups, class I-III mutations and class IV-V mutations, based on their CFTR mutations.

RESULTS

The prevalence of rhinosinusitis in adult patients with CF was 63% and the prevalence of nasal polyps 25%. Patients with class I-III mutations had significantly smaller frontal sinuses, sphenoid sinuses, more opacification in the sinonasal area and more often osteitis/neoosteogenesis of the maxillary sinus wall compared to patients with class IV and V mutations.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest more severe sinonasal disease in patients with class I-III mutations compared to patients with class IV-V mutations.