Prevalence of Chronic Rhinositis with SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Rhinology-Allergy Clinic Hasan Sadikin General Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) defined as the inflammation of the nasal lining and sinuses, presenting with persistent symptoms such as nasal congestion or a runny nose for a duration exceeding twelve weeks. The management of CRS in COVID-19 pandemic era follows the guidelines provided by EPOS 2020. Notably, symptoms like anosmia or hyposmia and ageusia are indicative of a COVID-19 infection. Purpose: This research purposes is to address the prevalence of CRS patients and COVID-19 and manifestation of COVID-19 in CRS patients from March 2020 -August 2021 at the ORL-HNS Allergy Rhinology Clinic, RSHS. Methods: This research employs a cross-sectional design, focusing on describing and observing various aspects of the subject under investigation. This study used secondary data from telephone interviews and a questionnaire administered to CRS patients. Results: 160 respondents are included in the inclusion criteria, with the majority being male (92 or 57.5%) and an average age of 37.5±17.2 years. The prevalence of COVID-19 in CRS patients during the study period was 28 (19.6%), with most CRS cases being without nasal polyps (46.4%). The most prevalent manifestation of COVID-19 found in CRS patients were elevated temperature (18 or 72%), anosmia (13 or 52%), followed by nasal congestion (9 or 36%). Conclusion: The prevalence of COVID-19 in CRS patients during the March 2020 -August 2021 period was 28 (17.5%). The clinical picture of CRS patients who experienced COVID-19 was that the symptoms were mostly mild, and the most common were anosmia, fever, and nasal congestion.