Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2009 Oct;52(10):816-821. 10.3342/kjorl-hns.2009.52.10.816.

Sinonasal and Psychological Symptoms in Rhinologic Patients(SNOT-20 & SCL-90-R)

• Shin KS
• Cho SH
• Ahn TH
• Jeong JH
• Kim KR
• Jung SA
• Kim SH

• KMID: 2074153
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/kjorl-hns.2009.52.10.816

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Quality of life is one of the important issues in the treatment of patients with chronic diseases of the nose and sinuses. Psychological disturbance may affect patient's symptoms and the outcome after treatments. In this study, we aimed to evaluate both sinonasal and psychological profiles in rhinologic patients.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
From February 2007 to January 2008, 117 rhinologic patients who had been scheduled for the nasal and sinus surgery were enrolled. They were divided into two groups, nasal cavity disease (NCD, n=53) and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS, n=64). Somatic and psychological symptoms were evaluated using the Sinonasal Outcome Test-20 (SNOT-20) and Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R). All of the patients underwent nasal endoscopy, computed tomography, acoustic rhinometry, T&T olfactometry and allergic skin prick test.
RESULTS
Global severity index of the SCL-90-R was within the normal range for all the rhinologic patients. There was no difference of SNOT-20 (p=0.220) and SCL-90-R (p=0.367) scores between the two groups. In the non-allergic patients, the CRS group had higher scores of SNOT-20 (p=0.002) and SCL-90-R (p=0.003) compared to the NCD group. The allergic NCD patients showed significantly higher scores of SNOT-20 (p=0.020) and SCL-90-R (p=0.003) compared to non-allergic NCD patients.
CONCLUSION
Allergy could augment the patient's somatic and psychological symptoms, especially in the NCD group. Therefore, allergy control may be important in the management of patients with nasal cavity diseases if they have allergic rhinitis.

Keyword

Sinusitis; Rhinitis; Allergy; Psychologic test; Symptoms

MeSH Terms

Chronic Disease
Endoscopy
Humans
Hypersensitivity
Nasal Cavity
Nose
Psychological Tests
Quality of Life
Reference Values
Rhinitis
Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial
Rhinometry, Acoustic
Sinusitis
Skin