Limits of stability among patients with chronic maxillary sinusitis: A cross-sectional comparative study

Sinusitis also known as Rhino sinusitis is the inflammation of sinuses that involves one or more cavities that could be due to bacterial or viral infection or even due to allergies. The patients may experience pain and tenderness around eyes, cheeks, nose and forehead, facial swelling, headache may be severe with nasal congestion. The secretions could have an impact on the vestibular apparatus which possibly may cause balance impairment. This study is intended to analyze the effect of chronic maxillary sinusitis (CMS) on balance.

The aim of the study is to analyze the impact of CMS on the limits of stability.

Thirty participants within the age group 20–40 were selected. Group A consisted of 15 patients with chronic maxillary sinusitis (CMS). Group B were matched controls (n=15) with the same age group, as that of the sinusitis group. Both male and female subjects within the age group of 20–40 years were included. Subjects with any other illness like trigeminal neuralgia, tension type headache, cervicogenic headache and other types of sinusitis were excluded. Functional Reach Test (FRT) between two groups were analysed

The mean FRT in patient with CS is 32.5 ± 9.5 cm. While in matched controls is 36.8 ± 7.9 cm. There exists significance difference (p=0.002) between them.

Patient with chronic maxillary sinusitis has less functional reaching capability and thereby decreased limits of stability when compared to the matched peers.