Temporal Trends in Pediatric Acute Sinusitis Surrounding the COVID‐19 Pandemic

Abstract

ObjectiveWe assessed patterns in the national incidence of pediatric acute sinusitis and associated complications surrounding the initial COVID‐19 lockdown.Study DesignRetrospective National Database review.SettingThe Pediatric Health Information System.MethodsAcute sinusitis and associated complication incidence data from 2015 to 2022 were queried. Three time periods of T1, T2, and T3 were defined as: pre‐COVID‐19 baseline, initial pandemic, and postpandemic. Statistical analysis included Wilcoxon rank sum tests, multivariable logistic regressions, and autoregressive integrated moving averages (ARIMA) to assess differences between the observed complication rates in T2 and T3 and the expected incidence rates in these time periods as estimated from T1 data.ResultsWe identified 2535 acute sinusitis admissions across 42 centers. The incidence differed between T1 (31.5 cases/month), T2 (15.8 cases/month), and T3 (29 cases/month). Children aged 10 to 14 years had the highest acute sinusitis incidence rate (32.5%) compared to other ages in T2. At T1, acute sinusitis and associated complication rates followed parallel seasonal patterns. Although sinusitis incidence decreased during T2, complications increased significantly during T2 and T3 compared to T1 (37.4% and 39% vs 27.5%, P < .001). In the ARIMA model, the ratio of the observed to expected incidence (95% confidence interval) of complications was 1.09 (0.69, 2.60) in T2 and 1.14 (0.73, 2.62) in T3.ConclusionWe report the simultaneous decrease in acute sinusitis incidence and an increase in associated complications during and after the initial COVID‐19 pandemic compared to the prepandemic baseline, reflecting changing patterns in viral infection due to the pandemic.

Hospitalizations for Acute Otitis and Sinusitis in Patients Living with HIV: A Retrospective Analysis of a Tertiary Center in Romania

“…With the changing epidemiological and clinical patterns of infectious diseases following the COVID-19 pandemic [ 27 , 28 ], it is becoming increasingly important to continue to monitor the burden of ENT infections in particular patient populations in order to provide actionable clinical data and to develop algorithms for appropriate management and follow-up, as is already available for other patient populations and other ENT involvements [ 29 ].…”

Validation of Sinusitis in the Pediatric Health Information System

“…To the Editor, We congratulate Chang et al for their recent study that examined the link between poor dental health and the risk of oral cavity squamous cell cancer (OSCC) at individual tumor subsites. 1 The study results suggested a robust and independent association between poor dental health and alveolar ridge cancer (ARC) risk, with near-complete tooth loss (25-28 teeth) being the most potent risk factor. These findings emphasize the importance of maintaining good dental health to prevent ARC, particularly in head and neck and dental oncology.…”

“…We read the study by Kalavacherla et al 1 with interest. Using the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS), they examined acute sinusitis in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

“…5 Kalavacherla et al rightly note that viral infections may be overdiagnosed as sinusitis. 1 However, without chart validation, additional concerns are apparent. Did teenage patients have migraines misidentified as sinusitis?…”