Functional Outcomes of Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: A Prospective Cohort Study Using the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-16 Questionnaire.

BACKGROUND

Chronic rhinosinusitis affects a large portion of the adult population, and its symptoms can be burdensome to patients' quality of life. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is usually required after medical therapies fail.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the outcomes of FESS in a tertiary hospital using the modified Arabic Sinonasal Outcome Test.

METHODS

This prospective cohort study involved administering an electronic questionnaire, the modified Arabic Sinonasal Outcome Test-16, pre-operatively to patients diagnosed with chronic rhinosinusitis who underwent FESS. This test was subsequently resent six weeks post-operatively. Scores were calculated by adding the total score of the 16 questions. The lowest possible score was 0, and the highest score was 48. Pre- and post-operative scores were compared.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight patients were included, with a mean age of 37.3±14.6. Our findings showed that FESS significantly improved all symptoms except cough and exophthalmos (p < 0.001). Nose congestion had the highest improvement score, with 78.6% of patients experiencing better symptoms. Lack of good night sleep was the second most ameliorated symptom, with 75% of patients showing improvement.

CONCLUSION

Modified Arabic Sinonasal Outcome Test scores were significantly improved after FESS. Therefore, primary treatment with FESS should be considered for patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis. However, further studies are recommended to investigate the long-term benefits of FESS and the impact of comorbidities, such as asthma and allergic rhinitis, on outcomes.