Histopathologic Influences of Comorbid Smoking Status in Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Abstract

Smoking status may influence histopathologic tissue-level changes in CRS disease. Interestingly, former and current smokers maintained few differences in histopathology. However, former and current smokers collectively demonstrated increased chronic inflammatory changes compared with never smokers. These findings suggest that the timing of smoking exposure has limited effect on the tissue level, rather exposure overall influences inflammatory change. These findings may have important implications on medical and surgical management of CRS disease and comorbid smoking status.