A review of published medical literature shows that functional endoscopic sinus surgery can help people suffering from chronic fatigue caused by sinusitis.
The results were presented today at the seventh International Conference on Chronic Fatigue in Madison, Wisconsin.
"The entire body of available medical literature points to the same conclusion: functional endoscopic sinus surgery reduces the chronic fatigue of sinusitis," said Alexander C. Chester, MD, clinical professor of medicine at Georgetown University Medical Center.
Chester analyzed the 11 available published scientific studies conducted on functional endoscopic sinus surgery in relieving fatigue. All 11 studies, including two from Harvard, demonstrated statistically significant decreased rates of fatigue post-surgery.
"Knowing there is a documented relationship between sinusitis and chronic fatigue, it seemed important to examine if sinus surgery can actually offer relief on the fatigue front," said Chester. "We need to explore the efficacy and viability of all available medical options to help those who suffer from debilitating fatigue."
The CDC approximates that 32 million people in the U.S. suffer from sinusitis; fatigue is a common symptom. For people who do not respond to medications as a treatment for their sinusitis, 80% remain fatigued, and out of these cases, fatigue is severe in over 20%. Because of persisting symptoms approximately 200,000 sinus surgeries are performed each year.
Functional endoscopic sinus surgery requires minimal cutting and is directed to a very localized area in the nose. Because the surgical area is so small, the recovery is much easier than nasal surgery of the past.