Evaluation of Improvement in Chronic Rhinosinusitis After Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Using Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT22) Symptom Score

Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) symptom score is the most widely used questionnaire due to its easy interpretation with respect to quality of life (QOL) in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). It helps in deciding further treatment plan in patients with refractory CRS despite maximal medical therapy (MMT). Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is suggested in patients not responding to medical treatment. The preoperative and post-operative QOL for patients with CRS is assessed using SNOT-22. To assess SNOT-22 score change in CRS resistant to MMT. This is a longitudinal study conducted from April 2021-September 2022 included patients diagnosed to have CRS, satisfying the inclusion criteria. SNOT-22 for symptom severity assessed at the first visit, 1 week and 12 weeks and after MMT. Patients who failed MMT, posted for ESS. Post-operatively SNOT-22 symptom score re-assessed at 15 days, 1 month, 2 months and 3 months. 56 patients (male-51% and female-49%) who failed to respond to MMT included in the study. The five major troublesome symptoms nasal blockage (92.86%), need to blow nose (75%), facial pressure/pain (53.57%), post nasal discharge (51.79%), and sneezing (42.86%). The mean SNOT-22 symptom score when compared with pre-operatively (69.54 & PLUSMN; 8.973) and after FESS (2.09 & PLUSMN; 1.881) had improved significantly (p < 0.001). CRS is more frequently seen in males aged between 21 and 30 years. The patient-based outcome measures, like SNOT-22 helps to foresee the extent of post- operative improvement. The effective management of CRS is by surgical intervention.