Scientists from Harvard Medical School found that sinusitis is associated with a 40% increased risk of rheumatic diseases. Research results published RMD (Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases) in Open journal.
Data obtained from the Rochester Epidemiology Project (REP) health information collection system were included in the study. In total, scientists managed to obtain information about the health status of 500 thousand people living in Minnesota’s Olmsted County.
The study sample included 1,729 adults with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, antiphospholipid syndrome (blood clots in the arteries and veins), Sjögren’s syndrome (damage to exocrine glands), giant cell arteritis (inflammation of the temporal artery). and polymyalgia rheumatica (pain of the rheumatic system). character).
Data obtained from healthy volunteers were also taken into account in the scientific study. The researchers found whether the subjects (all study participants) experienced short-term inflammation of the mucous membranes of one or more sinuses, also known as sinusitis.
It was revealed that a history of sinusitis increases the risk of many rheumatic diseases by 40%. The strongest association was observed in autoimmune rheumatic diseases such as antiphospholipid syndrome and Sjögren’s syndrome.
Antiphospholipid syndrome is a pathological condition belonging to the thrombophilia group, characterized by increased blood clotting in blood vessels. In Sjögren’s syndrome, exocrine glands are affected, especially the lacrimal and salivary glands, as well as the sweat, sebaceous and mucous glands.
It was also noted that acute sinusitis was associated with an 18% increased risk of developing seronegative rheumatoid arthritis.
The scientists added that their study was an observational study, so no firm conclusions can be drawn about any causal factors. The mechanisms underlying the relationship between sinusitis and rheumatic diseases need to be elucidated with additional research.
Previous scientists approached Understanding the causes of a dangerous form of arthritis.
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Source: Gazeta
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