Sinusitis, Evaluation, and Management in Primary Health Care: Literature Review

Background: Sinusitis is considered as a significant health concern nowadays. Sinusitis is responsible for complicating around 0.5% of all upper respiratory tract infections. It is the second most common infection encountered in primary health care and one of the commonest indications for prescribing antibiotics by general practitioners despite that viral infection is the commonest trigger. Objective: We aim to review the published literature that discussed sinusitis evaluation and management. Method: PubMed database was used for articles selection, and the following keys were used in the mesh ((“sinusitis"[Mesh]) AND (“Management”[Mesh]) OR (“Evaluation"[Mesh])). Conclusion: Relying on the clinical findings alone can be misleading in diagnosis. The clinical findings in some cases should be supported by imaging or nasal endoscopy to make an appropriate diagnosis. Most of the patients receive antibacterial as treatment of sinusitis from general practitioners despite most cases including bacterial sinusitis resolve without the need for antibiotics. Nasal wash and humidification by saline have resulted in the reduction of sinusitis symptoms. Prescribing antibiotics should be only when a bacterial infection is suspected. Moreover, corticosteroids are effective therapy in chronic cases of sinusitis.