Prevalence of Maxillary Sinus Pathology in Patients of Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry: Part II Association and Relationship between Smoking, Allergies and Sinus Pathology

Abstract

Objectives: With increasing utilization of cone beam computed tomography for diagnosis and treatment planning of complex dentomaxillofacial rehabilitation, more incidental findings of pathology in the maxillary sinus have been identified by clinicians. Part one of this article discusses the association between age, gender, ethnicity and dentition status in relation to prevalence of sinus pathology. The aim of this study is to expand the current knowledge base in regards to the prevalence of maxillary sinus pathologies in patients of Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry and to determine if smoking and allergies have relationship with the prevalence of pathology. Materials and Methods: : Three hundred and sixty-three cone beam computed tomography scans taken were evaluated at Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology between 2009 to July 31, 2013. Scans were classified into 1 of 5 categories based upon the type of sinus pathology detected. The categories of sinus findings were: healthy, mucosal thickening > 3-4 mm, polypoidal mucosal thickening, partial opacification and complete opacification. Medical health questionnaires were reviewed for patient's social history such as smoking and systemic factors such as allergies. Chi-square statistical analysis using SAS was done to examine the relationship. Results: This study included a total of 363 subjects subdivided by gender into 203 females and 160 males. The subjects were further subdivided by ethnicity into 217 Caucasians, 86 African Americans, 35 Asians, and 25 Hispanics. Also, 129 of the subjects had a history of smoking, 98 had seasonal allergies, and 50 had environmental allergies. In addition 129 of the subjects had at least 1 type of sinus pathology. Chi-square analyses showed that there was no relationship between the prevalence of sinus pathology and allergy or smoking status. History of allergies was marginally higher in females and significantly higher in African Americans (p=0.007). History of smoking was higher in older subjects (p=0.0004), males (p=0.01) and Caucasians (p<0.0001). Conclusions: This CBCT cross sectional study shows that there is no statistically significant correlation between prevalence of sinus pathology and smoking or allergy status. Further cohort studies are needed to determine if smoking or allergies may or may not contribute to sinus pathology.