the prevalence of allergic rhinitis in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis

introduction: chronic rhinosinusitis (crs) is a multifactorial disease. allergies are considered a predisposing factor to crs; however, this remains controversial. the objective of this research was to investigate the prevalence of co-morbidities and allergic reaction, and to specify the most common allergens in patients with confirmed crs.   materials and methods: one hundred patients with signs and symptoms of crs who met the diagnostic endoscopic and radiologic criteria of chronic rhinosinusitis were selected. they filled out a questionnaire and underwent a skin prick test for the common inhalant allergens. allergic rhinitis was diagnosed according to the history and positive skin prick tests.   results: the mean age of patients was 34. males were slightly more involved (54%). the prevalence of polypoid and none-polypoid rhinosinusitis was 54% and 46% respectively. the patients’ most common symptoms were nasal discharge (95%), blockage (94%), smell disorders (63%), cough (45%), halitosis (41%), lethargy (37%), and aural fullness (36%). allergy to at least one allergen was noted in 64% of the crs patients which is higher than general population in mashhad, iran with allergic rhinitis (22.4%). salsola was the most common allergen. there was no significant difference in allergic reactions between polypoid and non-polypoid crs patients.   conclusion:  allergic reactions was found in iranian crs patients with or without polyposis to be much higher than general population in mashhad with allergic rhinitis alone.