A Prospective Longitudinal Study of Clinical Outcome and Quality of Life Assessment in Patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis After Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Using Sino Nasal Outcome Test-22

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) significantly affect the quality of life (QoL) of patients. The study was conducted in CRS patients who were treated with functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) after failure of medical treatment to analyze clinical outcome using prospectively collected data through a symptom-based rhinosinusitis outcome measure, the Sino-nasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT-22). The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the QoL in patients of chronic rhinosinusitis pre-operative and after FESS by SNOT-22. The prospective study was conducted on 40 patients of chronic rhinosinusitis with or without nasal polyposis. Demographic, clinical, diagnostic nasal endoscopy and radiological findings were recorded. Visual analogue scoring and SNOT-22 questionnaire scoring were done preoperatively and at 3rd and 6th months post-operatively. These scores were compared and a value of  < 0.01 was considered statistical significant. Nasal obstruction (80%) was the most commonly reported disabling condition followed by rhinorrhea (75%), facial pain-pressure (72.5%), headache and sneezing. The mean preoperative nasal endoscopy score was 8.08 ± 3.65. The mean preoperative Lund Mackay CT scan score was 11.725 ± 3.64. The mean preoperative SNOT-22 score was 46.25 ± 20.44. After FESS, nasal discharge was improved in 86% patients. Average VAS scores showed significant postoperative improvement at 6 months (< 0.01). The mean postoperative diagnostic nasal endoscopy score improved to 2.80 ± 1.64 at 6 months (< 0.01). The mean postoperative SNOT-22 scores decreased at postoperative follow up visits at 3 and 6 months to 14.58 ± 4.90 at 3 months and 22.38 ±7.93 at 6 months (< 0.01). CRS patient refractory to medical treatment showed statistical significant improvement after FESS. The SNOT-22 scoring was easy to use scoring used for QoL assessment showed significant improvement after FESS.