Desktop disease specific banner PBC v3 2x
Respiratory Nasal Polyps Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP)
Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP)
About Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP)

Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP)

Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP) affects your nasal passages and sinuses. 
It is sometimes also called “nasal polyps” or “nasal polyp syndrome (NPS)”.

If you have CRSwNP,  it means you have two medical conditions at the same time - chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and nasal polyps. Both are outlined below: 

  • Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is the long-term inflammation (swelling) of the nasal passages and sinuses. Not everyone with CRS has nasal polyps.1,2
  • Nasal polyps are abnormal, swollen soft tissue growths inside the nasal passages and sinuses.1,2
graphic of a face showing the sinuses on the left and right sides of the face. Left sinuses are shown to be healthy with no blockages. The right sinuses are filled with green fluid and are blocked, the passages also appear smaller as they are inflamed. There are also 3 small spherical objects representing nasal polyps in the sinus cavity behind the nose showing how they can cause irritation.

These changes, compared with healthy sinuses and nasal passages, can cause a blocked or stuffy nose, a reduced sense of smell, and other symptoms that don’t go away, even with usual treatments like decongestants.

CRSwNP is a long-term (chronic) condition, which means it doesn’t usually go away forever. However, with the right treatment, symptoms can be well controlled. 

 

How many people have nasal polyps? 

CRS is a common condition that affects around 9% of the global population. Fewer people have CRSwNP. 

A silhouette of a world map in the background with text over it reading: “CRSwNP affects just under 1% of the global population (reference 2). Worldwide, that means around 5 million people are affected.”

References

  1. Mayo Clinic. Chronic sinusitis - Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. 2019. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-sinusitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351661. Last accessed April 2025.
  2. ‌Min HK, et al. Global Incidence and Prevalence of Chronic Rhinosinusitis: A Systematic Review. Clinical & Experimental Allergy. 2024. Nov;55(1):52-56.