Altered Quality of Life and Psychological Health (SCL-90-R) in Patients With Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps

Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2015 Aug;124(8):663-70. doi: 10.1177/0003489415576181. Epub 2015 Mar 5.

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the impact of olfactory dysfunction on quality of life (QOL) and psychological status in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP).

Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted from January 2011 to May 2012 with 130 patients with septal deviation (SD) (n = 59) and CRSwNP (n = 71). All patients underwent computed tomography (CT), allergy tests, and sniffin' stick olfactory test. Anosmia was defined by Threshold-Discrimination-Identification (TDI) scores less than 16. QOL and psychological symptoms were assessed with the Sinonasal Outcome Test-20 (SNOT-20) and Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R).

Results: Odor discrimination and identification scores were significantly lower in CRSwNP than in SD (P = .008 and P = .005, respectively). In CRSwNP, identification score decreased with higher CT score (r = -0.29, P = .014). CRSwNP with anosmia showed a decreased QOL (P = .044), and SNOT-20 negatively correlated with TDI in severe CRSwNP (CT score ≥15, r = -0.714, P = .001). Anosmia patients had higher anxiety and phobia scores of SCL-90-R in both SD and CRSwNP. However, depression score increased only in CRSwNP with anosmia (P = .025).

Conclusion: Olfactory dysfunction may have significant effects on QOL and psychological health. CRSwNP with anosmia is a distinct phenotype having mixed type of olfactory loss that might have a detrimental effect on depression.

Keywords: nasal obstruction; nasal polyposis; olfaction; otolaryngology; rhinology; sinusitis.

Publication types

  • Observational Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anxiety* / diagnosis
  • Anxiety* / physiopathology
  • Chronic Disease
  • Depression* / diagnosis
  • Depression* / physiopathology
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nasal Polyps* / diagnosis
  • Nasal Polyps* / psychology
  • Olfaction Disorders* / etiology
  • Olfaction Disorders* / psychology
  • Phobic Disorders* / diagnosis
  • Phobic Disorders* / physiopathology
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Quality of Life*
  • Republic of Korea
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Rhinitis* / diagnosis
  • Rhinitis* / psychology
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Sinusitis* / diagnosis
  • Sinusitis* / psychology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed