Prior chronic periodontitis is associated with chronic rhinosinusitis: A population-based case-control study

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and chronic periodontitis (CP) are prevalent inflammatory conditions with significant impacts on health. Previous research has suggested a potential link between these diseases, primarily through odontogenic sources, but comprehensive population-based studies are scarce. This study aimed to explore the association of CRS with prior CP. Methods: We performed a case-control study using Taiwan's Longitudinal Health Insurance Database, encompassing a group of 52,733 individuals diagnosed with CRS and 158,199 matched controls without CRS. The study identified patients with pre-existing CP using International Classification of Diseases codes, examining their prevalence before the index date of CRS diagnosis, comparing against matched controls without CRS. Multiple logistic regression models adjusted for demographic and health variables assessed the association between CRS and CP. Results: Our analysis indicated a significantly higher prevalence of CP among patients with CRS in comparison with controls (30.49% vs. 22.14%; p < 0.001). The adjusted odds ratio for having CP before the diagnosis of CRS was 1.550 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 1.516-1.584], suggesting a moderate association between these conditions. This association was consistent across gender-specific analyses. Of the male sampled patients, the adjusted odds ratio of prior CP for patients with CRS was 1.622 (95% CI = 1.571-1.675) than controls. Conclusion: This study underscores a significant association between CRS and prior CP, suggesting that periodontal health might influence or exacerbate the pathogenesis of sinusitis. The findings advocate for integrated approaches in managing patients with CRS, emphasizing the importance of periodontal health assessments as part of the clinical management of CRS.