The burden of chronic rhinosinusitis and its effect on quality of life among patients re-attending an otolaryngology clinic in south western Uganda

Abstract

BackgroundWorldwide, the burden of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is variable, but not known in Uganda. CRS has significant negative impact on quality of life (QOL) and as such QOL scores should guide adjustments in treatment strategies. However, most of these studies have been done in the west. Our hypothesis was that QOL scores of the majority of CRS patients in low- to- middle income countries are poorer than those among patients without CRS. The aim of this study was to determine the burden of CRS among patients re-attending the Otolaryngology clinic and whether CRS is related to poor QOL.MethodsA cross sectional study was conducted at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital Otolaryngology clinic. One hundred and twenty-six adult re-attendees were consecutively recruited. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and the Sinonasal Outcome Test 22 (SNOT 22) questionnaire measured QOL.ResultsThe proportion of re-attendees with CRS was 39.0% (95% CI 30–48%). Majority of CRS patients had poor quality of life scores compared to non-CRS (88% versus 20% p < 01). The poor quality of life scores on the SNOT 22 were almost solely as a result of the functional, physical and psychological aspects unique to CRS.ConclusionsCRS is highly prevalent among re-attendees of an Otolaryngology clinic at a hospital in resource limited settings and has a significant negative impact on the QOL of these patients.

Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis Before and After Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery at Tertiary Hospital, Tanzania

“…This finding is comparable with the results of other studies [11]. When observing the preoperative mean scores rhinologic domain was also seen with the highest findings followed with psychological domain and V. Nyaiteera similarly finds this [1].…”

“…Tobacco smoking however is considered an important negative prognostic factor for CRS. Many authors including V. Nyaiteera [1] reported that there is an increase in the odds of having a poor QOL in patients with smoking history compared to those that had never smoked before.…”

“…In term of smoking effect, in a study done in South Western Uganda, almost 20% of the study participants had a history of ever smoking (whether past or current) and this was associated with a 2.5 fold increase in the odds of having a poor QOL compared to those that had never smoked before [1].…”

“…Chronic rhino-sinusitis (CRS) is a condition characterized by the occurrence of two or more of the following signs and symptoms; nasal discharge or post-nasal drip, nasal obstruction, nasal congestion, facial pain, pressure or fullness and decreased sense of smell for a duration of 12 or more weeks with objective findings on either computed tomography or nasal endoscopy [1].…”

Evaluation of the effect of endoscopic partial middleturbinectomy surgery on the quality of life of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps

“…CRS symptoms such as insomnia, fatigue and olfactory dysfunction may change a patient's functional, emotional and social states and lead to a decrease in their overall QOL (10) . Previous studies have determined a 74%-94% reduction in the QOL of CRS patients (10,11) .…”