Risk of COVID-19 Infection Among Chronic Rhinosinusitis Patients Receiving Oral Corticosteroids

Abstract

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) management frequently comprises conservative treatment, including a combination of topical and oral corticosteroids (OCSs). However, in the midst of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, providers may have been reluctant to prescribe OCSs out of possible concern for an increased risk of contracting COVID-19 or developing more severe COVID-19 symptoms. This study thus sought to explore the association between the use of OCSs and the development of COVID-19 in patients with CRS. We found no statistically significant difference in the rates of patients with a positive diagnosis of COVID-19 who underwent an OCS treatment regimen compared to those who did not, both within 28 days (P =.389) and 14 days (P =.676) prior to the COVID-19 test. Given OCSs are often a major component of medical management of CRS, this study proves helpful in counseling patients on risks of steroid use in CRS treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic.