Association of sinusitis with systemic and local adipose tissue in adults: a cross-sectional study

Background: Obesity is associated with several nasal diseases. However, as indicated by conflicting findings from multifarious studies, the association of sinusitis with systemic and local adipose tissue remains inconclusive. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we examined the relationship between sinusitis and adipose tissue in adults using data from 3,203 participants in the 2005-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey through multivariate logistic regression models. Three indicators were utilized to assess this association: a systemic indicator of Body Mass Index (BMI), as well as two local indicators of Waist Circumference (WC) and Head Percent Fat (HPF). Results: Compared to individuals with normal weight or those overweight, only those classified as obese were exposed to increased odds of sinusitis in adults (adjusted odds ratio, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.12-2.81) in this study focusing on systemic adipose tissue. Additionally, central obesity was found to be associated with elevated odds of sinusitis in adults (adjusted odds ratio, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.09-2.21) in this study emphasizing on local adipose tissue. Further analysis stratified by sex revealed that the observed association of central obesity were attenuated and became statistically insignificant among male adults while remaining significant among female adults (adjusted odds ratio, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.05-2.73). Meanwhile, WC, an indicator of abdominal fat as a continuous variable, showed a statistically significant association with sinusitis only in female adults during a sex-stratified analysis (adjusted odds ratio, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.03). Another continuous local adipose variable HPF was found to have a significant association with sinusitis in both males (adjusted odds ratio, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.22-1.91) and females (adjusted odds ratio, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.08-1.56). The optimal cutoff values for BMI and WC indicating sinusitis were determined to be 34.97 kg/m 2 and 103.4 cm, respectively. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that both systemic and local adipose tissue are associated with an increased risk of sinusitis in adults, especially among females. Further investigations are needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and explore the potential benefits of weight management for preventing and treating sinusitis.