[Evaluation of quality-of-life and therapeutic effects of endoscopic sinus surgery in patients with chronic rhino-sinusitis using the SNOT-20 questionnaire].

OBJECTIVE

To explore the therapeutic effects of endoscopic sinus surgery on symptoms and quality of life of patients with chronic rhino-sinusitis (CRS).

METHODS

A survey of symptoms and quality of life was conducted using Sino-nasal Outcome Test-20 (SNOT-20) questionnaire with 76 patients before and after endoscopic sinus surgery. The overall effect of endoscopic sinus surgery on CRS was subjectively self-evaluated by patient.

RESULTS

After 6 months following-up, the total SNOT-20 score of patients was significantly decreased from the baseline (P<0.001). The most important 5-items were found to be "thick nasal discharge", "need to blow nose", "dizziness", "frontal pain", and "lack of a good sleep". Other items, related to sleep and emotion, were also significantly improved: the proportion of responses of "much improved", "improved" and "no-improved" were 56.3%, 33.3%, 10.4%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Endoscopic sinus surgery demonstrated positive effects on symptoms and quality of life of CRS patients.