Patient characteristics in each study
| Autio et al12 (n = 50) | Hansen et al13 (n = 175) | Lindbaek et al10 (n = 201) | Overall (n = 426) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age, years, median (IQR) | 20 (19–20) | 35 (27–45) | 35 (28–46) | 34 (25–44) |
| Sex, male, n (%) | 48 (96.0) | 52 (29.7) | 64 (31.8) | 164 (38.5) |
| Previous diagnosis of ARS, n (%) | 16 (32.0) | 124 (70.9) | 119 (59.2) | 259 (60.8) |
| Preceding URTI, n (%) | 39 (78.0) | 148 (84.6) | 193 (96.0) | 380 (89.2) |
| Maxillary pain, n (%) | 37 (74.0) | 168 (96.0) | 136 (67.7) | 341 (80.0) |
| Pain in teeth, n (%) | 11 (22.0) | 105 (60.0) | 98 (48.8) | 214 (50.2) |
| Anosmia, n (%) | 13 (26.0) | 107 (61.1) | 143 (71.1) | 263 (61.7) |
| Cacosmia, n (%) | 15 (30.0) | 66 (37.7) | 54 (26.9) | 135 (31.7) |
| Double sickening, n (%) | 45 (90.0) | 119 (68.0) | 118 (58.7) | 282 (66.2) |
| Pain scale, median (IQR) | 0.0 (0.0–3.0) | 5.0 (2.0–7.3) | 6.2 (3.5–7.8) | 5.0 (2.0–7.3) |
| Purulent nasal discharge on examination, n (%) | 27 (54.0) | 47 (26.9) | 84 (41.8) | 158 (37.1) |
| Fever (>38ºC), n (%) | 0 (0.0) | 19 (10.9) | 16 (8.0) | 35 (8.2) |
| CRP (µg/mL), median (IQR) | 3.1 (1.2–11.6) | 18.0 (10.0–38.0) | 9.0 (9.0–13.0) | 10.0 (9.0–21.0) |
| CT-confirmed ARS, n (%) | 20 (40.0) | 36 (20.6) | 84 (41.8) | 140 (32.9) |
| Culture-confirmed ABRS, n (%) | 8 (16.0) | 60 (34.3) | NA | 68 (30.2)a |
↵a The proportion is the prevalence in the data combining the studies by Hansen et al and Autio et al. ABRS = acute bacterial rhinosinusitis. ARS = acute rhinosinusitis. CRP = C-reactive protein. CT = computed tomography. IQR = interquartile range. NA = not available. URTI = upper respiratory tract infection.