What are the symptoms of Chronic Rhinosinusitis (CRS)?

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Last updated: March 17, 2025View editorial policy

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From the Guidelines

Chronic Rhinosinusitis (CRS) is characterized by a range of symptoms including nasal obstruction, nasal discharge, alteration in sense of smell, and facial pain and pressure, which are considered the 'cardinal' symptoms of the condition. These symptoms can vary in severity and prevalence, with nasal obstruction and discharge being the most common, affecting 81%-95% and 51%-83% of patients, respectively [ 1 ]. The presence of two or more of these symptoms persisting beyond 12 weeks is highly sensitive for diagnosing CRS [ 1 ].

Key Symptoms of CRS

  • Nasal obstruction or congestion
  • Nasal discharge (anterior or posterior)
  • Alteration in sense of smell
  • Facial pain and pressure
  • Fatigue and waking up at night due to symptoms

The symptoms of CRS can be categorized into different domains, including sinonasal, aural, sleep, and general domains [ 1 ]. Population studies have shown that symptoms of nasal obstruction and discharge are common, with 11.9% of adults sampled fulfilling the EPOS criteria for rhinosinusitis [ 1 ].

Severity and Prevalence of Symptoms

  • Nasal obstruction: 81%-95%
  • Facial congestion-pressure-fullness: 70%-85%
  • Discolored nasal discharge: 51%-83%
  • Hyposmia: 61%-69%

It is essential to note that the severity and prevalence of symptoms can vary depending on the population being studied, with patients in secondary care or those undergoing sinus surgery tend to have more severe and resistant symptoms [ 1 ]. Early recognition and diagnosis of CRS are crucial to prevent progression to more severe manifestations and improve quality of life.

From the Research

Symptoms of Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS)

The provided studies do not directly address the symptoms of Chronic Rhinosinusitis (CRS). However, they do discuss the symptoms of Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS), which may be of interest.

  • Symptoms of Cytokine Release Syndrome include:
    • Fever, sometimes very high 2
    • Constitutional symptoms, such as fatigue, headache, rash, arthralgia, and myalgia 2
    • Multiorgan dysfunction 3, 4, 5
    • Elevated circulating cytokine levels, including interleukin (IL)-6 and interferon γ 5
    • Severe organ dysfunction, including respiratory distress and capillary leakage 2
    • Cognitive decline and multifocal T2 hyperintensities on brain MRI 6
    • T cell-related encephalopathy (CRES) syndrome may occur concomitantly 2

Severity of Cytokine Release Syndrome

  • Severe cases of CRS can be life-threatening and require prompt management 4, 5, 2
  • The severity of CRS can be graded, and treatment algorithms can be based on severity 5

There are no research papers provided to assist in answering the question about the symptoms of Chronic Rhinosinusitis (CRS).

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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