People with sinusitis are at high risk of depression.

Chronic sinusitis is a condition in which the cavities near the nasal passages become inflamed and swollen for at least 12 weeks, with symptoms such as facial pain, headache, nasal congestion, and a decreased sense of smell. An estimated 15% of adults will experience sinusitis in their lifetime, according toReuters.

Recently, Korean scientists have studied the link between sinusitis and mental problems such as depression and anxiety. The study was conducted on two groups with no history of depression or anxiety. The first group consisted of 16,224 patients with chronic sinusitis in Korea who were treated between 2002 and 2013, the second group consisted of 32,448 people without the disease. After 11 years, the authors found that the first group had a 50% higher risk of depression or anxiety.

Many patients with chronic sinusitis still experience recurring symptoms that make treatment more difficult, said study author Dr. Dong-Kyu Kim of Hallym University College of Medicine. In addition, those with mental health problems also reported more intense pain, even during daily activities.

In addition, a small group of 5,461 patients with nasal polyps, or benign tumors that cause difficulty breathing, were also 41 to 45 percent more likely to have depression and anxiety than those without sinus disease. Without polyps, the rates were 61 and 63 percent, respectively. However, scientists note that they have not proven a direct relationship between sinus and psychological problems, lacking information on lifestyle habits (alcohol, tobacco) and data on mental health.

Dr. Edward McCoul, director of nasal and sinus surgery at Ochsner Hospital (USA), believes that rhinopharyngitis can release neurotransmitters, thereby affecting brain function. Combined with genes and other factors, this can lead to mental illness. He recommends that sinusitis patients need timely treatment from ENT specialists, because the symptoms of the disease are often overlooked or underestimated.