Sleep Quality Improves with Endoscopic Sinus Surgery in Patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyposis

Background: Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyposis (CRSwNP) is a chronic disease that has a major impact on generic and disease-specific quality of life. Little is known about the influence of CRSwNP on sleep and what effect surgery for CRSwNP has on sleep quality. The aim of the study was to investigate sleep quality in patients with CRSwNP before and after endoscopic surgery.

Methodology: Forty-two patients filled out four validated sleep questionnaires and one sino/nasal, disease specific quality of life questionnaire before surgery and three months later. A healthy control group filled out the same questionnaires at baseline and after three months.

Results: An impact on sleep patterns was found in all sleep questionnaires and surgery clearly improved the quality of sleep. The Sino-nasal outcome test sum score decreased from median 51,5 to 26,5. Epworth sleepiness scale showed a decline in score from score 7.5 to 6.0. Surgery also reduced the risk for obstructive sleep apnoea in 13 patients evaluated by the Berlin Questionnaire and Multivariable Apnea Prediction Index.

Conclusions: Patients with CRSwNP had impaired sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, nasal patency, and risk for sleep apnea, all of which improved after corrective surgery.