Socioeconomic factors in allergic fungal rhinosinusitis

A new socioeconomic study has discovered that allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS), a chronic sinus disease affecting many living in the southern and southeastern United States, affects African American more than other ethnic groups.

Additionally, AFRS is found in greater numbers in counties populated by people with low socioeconomic status.

The findings, presented at the 2007 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO in Washington, DC, showed that among patients undergoing endoscopic surgery between 2002 and 2006, 61.1 percent of those diagnosed with AFRS were African American, while 24.1 percent were either uninsured or Medicaid patients. Furthermore, a higher percentage of AFRS patients lived below the poverty level, compared with patients suffering from other types of chronic rhinosinusitis.

The authors believe that recognizing the demographic differences in patients with AFRS can ultimately lead to earlier recognition of the ailment, and allow for better patient education and research targeted at the at-risk populations.