Role of Desert Climate in Bisha City on Chronic Sinusitis Symptoms and Risk Factors

Objectives: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of CRS and its risk factors among people in Bisha, Saudi Arabia. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Bisha City, Saudi Arabia, involving all accessible adults aged 18 and older. The minimum required sample size was 384 participants, based on a 5% margin of error and a 95% confidence interval. The study was conducted from November 2024 to January 1, 2025, using an online questionnaire distributed via social media. The questionnaire was validated, and participants were recruited through the author’s professional networks, family, and friends, allowing any viewer in Bisha City to respond voluntarily. The chi-square test and multiple logistic regressions were applied. Results: A total of 416 participated in the study; 299 (71.9%) were female and 117 (28.1%) were male. The mean age was 29.5 years, and the mean BMI was 25.28. Out of all participants, 81 (19.47%) were found to have CRS. Conclusion: This study highlights the significant prevalence of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) in Bisha City, particularly among married individuals and those with chronic conditions. Various risk factors, including environmental allergen exposure, smoking, obesity, and deviated nasal symptoms, are associated with a higher risk of CRS. Environmental factors, particularly the desert climate and dust exposure in Bisha, seem to exacerbate the prevalence of CRS.