US and European Perspective on the Burden of Chronic Sinusitis: Survey of Allergists and Otolaryngologists

RATIONALE: To assess perceived burden of chronic sinusitis (CS) among physicians in the US and Europe. METHODS: A survey was developed and administered to 202 physicians (ENTs and allergists) in the US, France, Germany, and the UK. Data collected included: Patient volume, perceived burden of disease, and estimated severity of CS and associated impairment. RESULTS: Respondents indicated that, on average, they see and treat 45 adult CS patients in a typical month. ENTs treat about two times more CS patients per month than do allergists. About one-third (33%) of these patients are considered surgery refractory. Respondents were generally unhappy with current treatments (86%), wished for more options to treat the surgery refractory population (86%), and for a treatment proven as efficacious and safe (91%). Across countries and specialties, respondents agreed that those patients with CS refractory to surgery suffer from a severe and debilitating condition (88%.) Physicians in the US estimated that a typical surgery refractory CS patient spends 124 days in CS-related discomfort, 114 days in pain, and 31 days unable to work. By contrast, French respondents estimated that a typical surgery refractory CS patient spends 59 days in discomfort, 67 days in pain and 17 days unable to work. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of specialty and country of origin, physician reported that surgery refractory CS patients suffer from a severe and debilitating condition that causes discomfort and pain and often interferes with their ability to function normally.