The relationship of chronic rhinosinusitis and depression

Abstract

Purpose of review 

The aim of this article is to identify and describe the relationship between chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and comorbid depression, including the patient factors that may increase the risk of depression. The impact of comorbid depression on quality of life, response to treatment and healthcare utilization will also be assessed.

Recent findings 

CRS is associated with a significantly increased prevalence of depression, where 9–26% of patients with CRS will have physician-diagnosed depression. An additional 40% will have undiagnosed depression that can be identified through screening tools. Patients without polyps are more likely to experience comorbid depression, as are patients with significant sleep dysfunction, olfactory dysfunction, and pain. CRS symptoms do improve with medical and surgical therapy in depressed patients, though baseline and posttreatment scores are worse. A similar degree of benefit from therapy is seen in both depressed and nondepressed patients. CRS treatment does seem to improve depression, whereas the effect of depression specific therapy is unknown. Depressed patients have a significantly larger economic burden because of their increased healthcare utilization and productivity losses.

Summary 

Depression is a highly prevalent and impactful comorbidity in patients with CRS. Increased awareness of this relationship may improve patients’ overall quality of care.