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Review
. 2025 Feb;20(3):259-264.
doi: 10.1080/17460913.2024.2441010. Epub 2024 Dec 14.

Sex and gender in rhinosinusitis: a review

C S Thornton  1   2   3   4 , L Radu  1 , N Boechler  1 , J Clark  1   5 , R Somayaji  1   2   3   4   6   7
Affiliations
Review

Sex and gender in rhinosinusitis: a review

C S Thornton et al. Future Microbiol. 2025 Feb.

Abstract

Rhinosinusitis is a highly prevalent, inflammatory condition affecting the nose and paranasal sinuses, impacting an individual's quality of life with significant health care burden. Sinusitis is more frequent in females, and they typically present with more severe symptoms and worse quality of life scores. Males are more likely to present with nasal polyps and have higher objective scores on imaging studies. Differences in sinus microbiota by sex may play a role in understanding differences in clinical presentations between them, but additional research is required. An improved understanding of sex and gender-based differences in pathophysiology and clinical presentations will help to decrease inequities in accessing healthcare and optimizing long-term personalized patient outcomes.

Keywords: Rhinosinusitis; epidemiology; gender; health inequity; microbiome; sex.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

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