Sinonasal symptoms in adults with ear disease.

BACKGROUND

The association between eustachian tube dysfunction and middle-ear effusion is well established. Studies have also demonstrated pathological changes affecting the middle-ear mucosa associated with chronic sinonasal inflammation. No previous studies have evaluated symptoms related to sinonasal inflammatory disease in different ear diseases.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the presence of sinonasal symptoms in ear diseases using the Dundee Rhinogram.

METHODS

Data were collected prospectively in the period February-October 2011. Sinonasal symptoms were graded using the Dundee Rhinogram. Student's t-test analyses were performed to identify any statistically significant associations.

RESULTS

In total, 164 patients were assessed. There was a statistically significant association between sinonasal symptoms and mucosal middle-ear diseases (p < 0.005). The mean sinonasal symptoms score for mucosal middle-ear disease patients was 5.94 (range, 0-32).

CONCLUSION

Assessment of sinonasal symptoms is paramount in patients presenting with an ear symptom; inflammatory sinonasal disease treatment may become necessary in the management of middle-ear mucosal disease for better patient outcome.