Short-term quality of life after FESS in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis

Background Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) has a distinct negative effect on patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is the treatment of choice for those not responding to medical treatments. This study aimed to evaluate short-term HRQoL of patients with CRS by using the German validated Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT-22).

Methods Symptom scores from 89 SNOT-22 questionnaires were analysed before surgery and 10-14 days (n = 77), four (n = 77) and six weeks (n = 76) and 6 months (n = 71) after FESS, and compared with those of 1,000 healthy controls, which have been selected using a non-probability quota sample in accordance of the distribution of the German Microcensus.

Results Compared to the preoperative mean SNOT-22 score (47.35), CRS patients significantly improved in HRQoL 10-14 days (31.75, p<0.01), 4 weeks (25.84, p<0.01), 6 weeks (24.16, p<0.01) and 6 months after FESS (27.16, p<0.01). Pre- and 6 months postoperatively, the five most important SNOT-22 items were blocked nose, hyposmia, mucous secretion, blowing the nose and postnasal drip. CRS-related hyposmia had the greatest impact on patients’ HRQoL at short-term follow-up.

Conclusion This is the shortest follow-up study evaluating the effect of FESS on patients’ HRQoL. FESS removes the disease burden, but still requires further postoperative medical treatment postoperatively.

Publication History

Article published online:
12 May 2023