Demographic Study of Sinusitis in Patients Visiting Govt. Unani Hospital Srinagar and Ayush Centres in Kashmir

Sinusitis is the symptomatic inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, which may be due to infection, allergy or autoimmune causes. It usually occurs due to a viral infection and resolve over the course of 10 days. It is a common disease affecting more than 24 million people annually. Its prevalence is escalating in different geographical locations of the world, especially in cold regions. The best way to prevent sinusitis is to educate the people about risk factors and preventive strategies. The present study was planned with an objective to know the prevalence of sinusitis and to determine the ratio of diseases in respect of Mizaj (Temperament) of the patients attending Govt. Unani Hospital Srinagar and AYUSH Centres in Kashmir. The study was an observational multi-centric cross sectional hospital based survey. A total of 11514 patients of any age group and sex, attending the out-patients departments of these centres, irrespective of the treatment seeking for were screened after obtaining approval from Institutional Ethical Committee. A pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire which was based on the demographic profile and risk factors of sinusitis was administered to collect the relevant data. The results showed that overall prevalence of sinusitis was 1.11%. The mean age of patients was 34 years and 70% of patients were suffering from chronic maxillary sinusitis. The study revealed that 20% of patients have positive family history of sinusitis. The history of allergy and cold exposure was found in 30 % of patients. The prevalence was highest in patients having Balgami (phlegmatic) temperament. It can be concluded that by knowing ones temperament, the risk for developing sinusitis can be predicted and preventive strategies may be adopted at individual and mass levels.