Chronic sinus disease is more common a among people who have been exposed to secondhand smoke, according to a new study. There are more than 4,000 compounds in secondhand smoke, including more than 50 that are known to cause cancer or which are suspected of doing so. Previous studies have linked secondhand smoke to many health problems, including lung and ear disease, asthma, heart disease and even some cancers.

A team at Brock University, Canada, looked at a group of 306 non-smoking patients who had been diagnosed with chronic sinus disease. That is, they had been diagnosed with having a chronic inflammation of the sinuses for 12 weeks or more. Their exposure to secondhand smoke at home, work, in public places, or at private social functions, during the five years before their diagnosis was compared to that of a group of 306 similar individuals who did not have chronic sinus disease.

Those with chronic sinus disease were more likely than the controls to have been exposed to secondhand smoke at home, at work, in public places or at private social functions. There was a dose-response relationship with those exposed to secondhand smoke in more of the four types of venues being the most likely to develop chronic sinus disease. Overall, it looked as if 40% of cases of chronic sinus disease could be attributed to exposure to secondhand smoke.

The researchers are not sure of the underlying mechanism for the connection between secondhand smoke exposure and chronic sinus disease. Exposure might increase susceptibility to upper respiratory infection, or decrease immunity. We already know that exposure to secondhand smoke is linked to other diseases. These new findings suggest that exposure may also cause chronic sinus disease. Therefore, the increasing trend towards banning smoking in public places may help keep your sinuses healthy.

Source:

Tammemagi C et al Secondhand smoke as a potential cause of chronic rhinosinusitis Archives of Otolarynology – Head and Neck Surgery April 2010;136:327-334