Gender Differences in Adults With Chronic Rhinosinusitis: A Scoping Review

Objective. Gender differences in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) have been demonstrated in many studies over the last 15 years. The purpose of this scoping review is to investigate the current knowledge on gender differences in CRS and to analyze the gaps in the literature. Data Sources. A systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases was performed. Review Methods. This scoping review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. Studies that evaluated gender differences in CRS were included in the review. Results. Of the 523 abstracts reviewed, a total of 23 studies met the criteria for inclusion. Articles consisted of retrospective and prospective cohort studies. They were divided into 3 categories based on whether they evaluated gender differences in (1) presentation and baseline quality of life, (2) pathophysiology, and/or (3) outcomes of treatment. Eleven studies addressed differences in presentation, 5 addressed differences in pathophysiology, and 10 dealt with differences in outcomes after surgical or medical management. Most of the studies showed worse baseline QoL secondary to CRS in women, with outcome of treatment being similar in both genders. Conclusion. The experience of CRS appears to vary between genders, with women experiencing a greater subjective burden of disease than men, though with similar outcomes after treatment. Further research is indicated, particularly involving the pathophysiology of CRS, to fully understand the underlying causes of these discrepancies.