Longitudinal analysis of inflammatory biomarkers during acute rhinosinusitis

Objective To illuminate the pathophysiology of acute rhinosinusitis (ARS) with sequential monitoring of inflammatory biomarkers during an ARS episode and to clarify their diagnostic usability in bacterial ARS. Study Design Inception cohort study with 50 conscripts with ARS. Methods We collected peripheral blood high‐sensitive C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP), white blood cell (WBC), procalcitonin, and nasal nitric oxide (nNO) counts at 2 to 3 and 9 to 10 days of symptoms during an ARS episode. We simultaneously gathered various clinical parameters and microbiological samples. Bacterial ARS was confirmed with a positive culture of sinus aspirate. Results Reciprocal correlations and a significant change in biomarker levels between the two visits suggest that ARS involves a local and systemic inflammatory response that was strongest at 2 to 3 days. High‐sensitive CRP and nNO reflected responses best (52% had increased CRP levels at 2–3 days; 66% had decreased nNO levels). White blood cell and procalcitonin counts rarely exceeded the reference range. Increased local and systemic inflammatory response were linked to multiple, adenoviral, or influenza A viral etiology or the detection of bacterial ARS. Local response correlated with imaging findings of wide paranasal sinus involvement and ostiomeatal complex occlusion. At 9 to 10 days, elevated (≥ 11 mg/L) and moderately elevated (≥ 49 mg/L) hs‐CRP predicted bacterial ARS well (likelihood ratio [LR]+ 3.3 and LR+ 15.8, respectively), but the sensitivity for both findings remained low. Conclusion Acute rhinosinusitis (particularly bacterial ARS) involves a local and systemic inflammatory response that is strongest at the beginning of symptoms. Elevated hs‐CRP supports the diagnosis of bacterial ARS. Level of Evidence 4. Laryngoscope, 2016 127:E55–E61, 2017