Chao Jiang1, Xiaoyue Zhen1, Xin Zhang1, Ling Guo1, Jie Han1, Zhaoyang Cui2, Xuanchen Zhou3. 1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China. 2. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China. ty0261_cn@sina.com. 3. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China. xuanchenzhou@163.com.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The preoperative diagnosis of noninvasive fungal rhinosinusitis (NIFRS) is inaccurate, and biomarkers to assist the diagnosis are urgently needed. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between albumin levels and NIFRS to assist in early diagnosis. METHODS: Patients with NIFRS and chronic sinusitis were enrolled in this study. Appropriate statistical methods were used to determine whether there was a statistical difference between the groups. Subgroup analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between albumin levels and NIFRS, and a generalised additive model (GAM) was used to perform nonlinear relationships. RESULTS: A total of 620 patients were included, including 240 patients with NIFRS. A close relationship was found between albumin levels and NIFRS (P < 0.0001), and the low albumin group was associated with a higher incidence of NIFRS, which was reduced by 60 and 70% in the middle and high albumin groups, respectively. The subgroup analysis also demonstrated an association between albumin levels and NIFRS, except in patients with an alcohol history (P = 0.0665). Interestingly, a nonlinear relationship is observed according to the adjusted GAM. The inflection point was set at 37.0 g/L. A negative correlation was observed among patients with albumin > 37.0 g/L. When the albumin count was <37.0 g/L, the Y value obviously increased and was saturated at 70%, with no further significant increase. CONCLUSION: Albumin levels were significantly negatively correlated with the incidence of NIFRS, and the incidence increased markedly among patients with albumin < 37.0 g/L.
PURPOSE: The preoperative diagnosis of noninvasive fungal rhinosinusitis (NIFRS) is inaccurate, and biomarkers to assist the diagnosis are urgently needed. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between albumin levels and NIFRS to assist in early diagnosis. METHODS: Patients with NIFRS and chronic sinusitis were enrolled in this study. Appropriate statistical methods were used to determine whether there was a statistical difference between the groups. Subgroup analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between albumin levels and NIFRS, and a generalised additive model (GAM) was used to perform nonlinear relationships. RESULTS: A total of 620 patients were included, including 240 patients with NIFRS. A close relationship was found between albumin levels and NIFRS (P < 0.0001), and the low albumin group was associated with a higher incidence of NIFRS, which was reduced by 60 and 70% in the middle and high albumin groups, respectively. The subgroup analysis also demonstrated an association between albumin levels and NIFRS, except in patients with an alcohol history (P = 0.0665). Interestingly, a nonlinear relationship is observed according to the adjusted GAM. The inflection point was set at 37.0 g/L. A negative correlation was observed among patients with albumin > 37.0 g/L. When the albumin count was <37.0 g/L, the Y value obviously increased and was saturated at 70%, with no further significant increase. CONCLUSION: Albumin levels were significantly negatively correlated with the incidence of NIFRS, and the incidence increased markedly among patients with albumin < 37.0 g/L.