ObjectiveExamine the relationship between depression and changes in smell or taste.Study DesignCross‐sectional analysis of 2011–2012 and 2013–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).MethodsWe examined 5,275 adults ≥40 years old who completed smell and taste questionnaires as well as a validated depression assessment instrument, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ‐9). Analyses incorporated sampling weights to account for the complex sampling design and associations were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression adjusted for related demographics and socioeconomic data.ResultsThe prevalence of altered smell and taste was 23.0% (95% CI: 20.7–25.3%) and 11.9% (95% CI: 10.7–13.1%), respectively. Among those who met criteria for major depressive disorder, the prevalence of altered smell and taste was higher at 39.8% (95% CI: 33.4–46.1%) and 23.7% (95% CI: 18.7–28.7%), respectively. In a multivariate model adjusting for age, gender, education, major comorbidities, smoking history, heavy alcohol use, sinus disease, cold symptoms, and trauma history, adults ≥40 and <65 years old who reported alterations in smell (OR: 1.64, p = 0.004) and adults ≥40 years old who reported alterations in taste (OR: 1.77, p = 0.001) were more likely to meet criteria for major depressive disorder.ConclusionThere is a strong association between major depression and alterations in smell and taste among certain age groups in the general U.S. population. Primary care providers should screen for depression when patients report changes in smell or taste.Level of Evidence4.

The perfusion-based human cadaveric ICA injury model achieves high ratings of face and content validity across all levels of surgical trainees, and enables safe, realistic simulation for standardized skull base simulation and future curriculum development. Objective improvements in performance metrics may translate to improved patient outcomes.

ObjectiveExamine the relationship between depression symptoms and sinonasal inflammatory diseases, and investigate health disparities associated with allergic rhinitis (AR) and sinusitis in the United States.Study DesignCross‐sectional analysis of 2014 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data.MethodsAdult cases of AR and sinusitis were extracted from the 2014 NHIS in addition to demographic, socioeconomic, and related depressive symptom data. The dataset was analyzed with chi‐square, t‐tests, and multivariate regression.ResultsThere were 19.1 ± 1.1 million adult AR cases and 29.4 ± 1.4 million adult sinusitis cases. Of these, 20.6% and 22.0% reported depression symptoms in the past 12 months for those with AR or sinusitis, respectively. Both diseases were also associated with significantly fewer mean hours of sleep a night (AR: 7.02 vs. 7.14, P < 0.01; Sinusitis: 6.98 vs. 7.14, P < 0.01) and greater mean days of work missed (AR: 4.60 vs. 3.62, P < 0.01; Sinusitis: 5.87 vs. 3.41; P < 0.01). On multivariate analysis, the prevalence of AR and sinusitis was significantly higher among men, Caucasians, older adults, the more educated, and adults with depression symptoms. Only the prevalence of sinusitis varied depending on income and geography.ConclusionAllergic rhinitis and sinusitis are associated with an increased likelihood of depressive symptoms, shorter sleep duration, and more workdays lost. The prevalence of both are influenced by age, sex, race/ethnicity, and education level. Targeted initiatives should be developed to address these health disparities and comorbidities associated with inflammatory sinonasal disease.Level of Evidence4.

Objectively measured olfactory dysfunction is independently associated with cognitive impairment. These findings are consistent with previous studies and suggest the utility of objective olfactory tests as an indicator for cognitive impairment as compared with self-reported olfactory dysfunction, which is an uncertain indicator.

Background Whether for research or quality improvement, assessment of postoperative quality of life outcomes faces a challenge in reliable data collection. Typical coordinator‐led studies cite response rates from 35% to 70%. This study evaluates the utility of a digital patient engagement platform to track patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs) following septoplasty and functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). Methods A prospective cohort was recruited at a tertiary care center from January 2017 to March 2018. A mobile phone application relayed PROMs, including pain (assessed on a 0 to 10 visual analogue scale [VAS] every other day for 2 weeks, as well as the patient‐reported outcome measure information system [PROMIS] pain interference short form 4a at baseline, 2 weeks, and 3 months) and timing of return to work. Results Of 288 patients enrolled, 249 (86.5%) provided clinical data, including 208 who underwent septoplasty or FESS. Granular VAS scores, submitted by 195 patients, demonstrated 80% of these patients achieved minimal pain by postoperative day 8. A nonsignificant trend of increased days to pain relief by procedure emerged: septoplasty (mean ± standard deviation [SD], 3.60 ± 2.44), FESS (3.96 ± 3.25), FESS with septoplasty (4.40 ± 3.04), and FESS with drilling (4.86 ± 3.68). Across procedures, PROMIS pain interference increased at 2 weeks (9.17 ± 4.15) and decreased at 3 months (5.32 ± 2.61) compared with baseline (7.09 ± 4.63), with greater improvement noted in the FESS subgroup at 3 months. Patients returned to work at mean 7.1 days regardless of procedure. Conclusions With its high response rate, mobile digital patient engagement platforms may effectively track postoperative outcomes with the potential for reduced sample bias.