BACKGROUND

In the chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) definition of the RhinoSinusitis Task Force (RSTF) of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, fever is one of the minor symptoms. In the EP3OS definition, fever is not mentioned as a contributing factor. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the role of fever in CRS.

METHODS

Patients with CRS, scheduled for surgery were compared with a control group consisting of patients without CRS, suffering from esthetic complaints or obstruction of the nose. Temperature prior to surgery was measured and analyzed.

RESULTS

In both groups, hundred patients were included. In the CRS group the mean temperature was 36.94 degrees C, with a maximum of 37.8 degrees C. The control group revealed a mean temperature of 36.87 degrees C. Analysis demonstrated no significant difference between the mean temperatures of the CRS patients and the controls (p = 0.306). Additional analysis, correcting for possible confounders, did not reveal significant differences between both groups either.

CONCLUSIONS

There have been several attempts to define CRS in the past, but an all including definition or classification system for this disorder does not currently exist. Fever is a factor under discussion. We found no significant difference between the preoperative body temperature in CRS patients and controls. These results suggest that fever is not a relevant symptom in CRS.