Epidemiology and Clinical Manifestations of Rhinosinusitis in Saudi Arabia: A National Systematic Review

Abstract

Rhinosinusitis, a complex nasal disorder characterized by inflammation and various symptoms, significantly affects health and daily functioning. Despite the diverse population of Saudi Arabia, there is a noticeable lack of data on this condition. Recognizing this gap, this study aimed to conduct a national systematic review of the literature on the epidemiology and clinical presentation of rhinosinusitis in Saudi Arabia. We systematically searched Medline, Scopus, and the Directory of Open Access Journals from inception to November 2023. We used the following search terms: (Rhinosinusitis OR Sinusitis) AND (Prevalence OR Clinical presentation OR Clinical manifestations) AND (Saudi Arabia). Randomized controlled trials and observational studies were also included. We focused on studies reporting the epidemiology and clinical manifestations of rhinosinusitis in Saudi Arabia. A total of 14 articles met our inclusion criteria. This review included articles from various cities in Saudi Arabia, published between 2007 and 2023. In total, 12,667 patients were included in this study. We extracted data on patient demographics, number of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with nasal polyposis, number of patients without nasal polyposis, and number of patients with allergic fungal sinusitis. Associations with allergies were explored, along with details of how many patients underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery and whether they experienced recurrence or revision surgery. Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis and CRS without nasal polyps were common. Treatment typically combines surgery with medical treatment. Varied occurrences and manifestations highlight geographic and ethnic influences and underscore genetic, environmental, and sociocultural factors.