What is CRSwNP?

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the sinuses and nasal passages¹. As the name suggests, patients with CRSwNP have both chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and nasal polyps (NP)².

Rhinosinusitis occurs when the sinuses become inflamed or infected². The sinuses are hollow spaces between the facial bones that sit behind the forehead, nose, cheeks, and eyes³. They are lined with mucus that keeps them moist and helps prevent infection^2-6.

When there is a build-up of mucus or the mucus doesn’t drain properly, it can lead to rhinosinusitis². Rhinosinusitis is considered chronic when symptoms have lasted for at least three months².

In addition to chronic rhinosinusitis, patients with CRSwNP have nasal polyps that contribute to the severity of symptoms². Nasal polyps are benign (non-cancerous) tissue growths that can block the sinuses and nasal passages, leading to congestion and changes in the sense of smell². CRSwNP affects about one third of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis⁴.

Risks factors for developing CRSwNP include asthma and older age⁵. Nearly two-thirds of patients with CRSwNP also have asthma, and patients with CRSwNP tend to get diagnosed in their 40s and 50s^4,6. In general, the condition affects more men than women⁴.

References

Rank MA, Chu DK, Bognanni A, et al. The Joint Task Force on Practice Parameters GRADE guidelines for the medical management of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2023;151:386‑398.
Buccheit K. Patient education: Chronic rhinosinusitis (Beyond the Basics). UpToDate. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/chronic-rhinosinusitis-beyond-the-basics
Medline Plus. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000647.htm
Bachert C, Bhattacharyya N, Desrosiers M, Khan AH. Burden of disease in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. J Asthma Allergy. 2021;14:127-134.
Chen S, Zhou A, Emmanuel B, Thomas K, Guiang H. Systematic literature review of the epidemiology and clinical burden of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis. Curr Med Res Opin. 2020;36:1897-1911.
Stevens WW, Schleimer RP, Kern RC. Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2016;4:565-572.
Sinus infection (sinusitis). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/sinus-infection.html
What is Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP)? Allergy and Asthma Network. https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/health-a-z/chronic-rhinosinusitis-with-nasal-polyps-crswnp/