Sinonasal manifestations of cystic fibrosis: A correlation between genotype and phenotype?

Abstract Background Patients with Cystic Fibrosis are prone to develop sinonasal disease. Studies in genotype–phenotype correlations for sinonasal disease are scarce and inconclusive. Methods In this observational study several aspects of sinonasal disease were investigated in 104 adult patients with CF. In each patient a disease specific quality of life questionnaire (RSOM-31), nasal endoscopy and a CT scan of the paranasal sinuses were performed. Patients were divided into two groups, class I–III mutations and class IV–V mutations, based on their CFTR mutations. Results The prevalence of rhinosinusitis in adult patients with CF was 63% and the prevalence of nasal polyps 25%. Patients with class I–III mutations had significantly smaller frontal sinuses, sphenoid sinuses, more opacification in the sinonasal area and more often osteitis/neoosteogenesis of the maxillary sinus wall compared to patients with class IV and V mutations. Conclusion These data suggest more severe sinonasal disease in patients with class I–III mutations compared to patients with class IV–V mutations.