Epidemiology and economic impact of rhinosinusitis.

Rhinosinusitis is highly prevalent in the United States, affecting an estimated 16% of the adult population annually. The prevalence of the illness is increased in women and, relative to other US regions, in individuals living in the South. The direct costs associated with chronic rhinosinusitis are higher than the background costs in managed care patients because of increased office visits and medication prescriptions, and the indirect costs due to restricted activity days are enormous. Rhinosinusitis poses an immense economic burden in the United States. Data concerning the epidemiology and economic impact of the disease are reviewed.