Influence of age and gender in the normal values of Sino Nasal Outcome Test-22

ObjectivesSino Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT)-22 is a disease-specific outcomes measure questionnaire that combines rhinologic issues with general health issues. These issues may have variable weight on quality of life perception, and the influence of several factors such as gender, ethnicity, age, socio-cultural status and co-morbidities is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of gender and age on normal values of SNOT-22. DesignCross-sectional study based on application of SNOT-22 questionnaires to healthy volunteers. Participants were divided according to gender, and each gender was subdivided into age groups: 18-30years, 31-40years, 41-50years, 51-60years and over 60years. SettingRhinology Section, Sao Paulo Federal University. ParticipantsA total of 539 healthy volunteers (253 men and 286 women) were selected, so that each age group of each gender consisted of at least 50 individuals. Main outcomes measuresWe applied SNOT-22 questionnaire to volunteers with no nasal or sinus disease. Median of score distribution was used as normal reference. ResultsMen presented lower scores than women (7 versus 9, P=0.005). Subjects over 60years presented significantly lower scores than other age groups (18-30years=10; 31-40years=8; 41-50years=9; 51-60years=9; over 60years=7). Men presented lower scores than women especially in 41-50year and 51-60year groups. ConclusionMen and elderly presented the lowest Brazilian version SNOT-22 scores. The range of 0-8 points seemed to be more suitable as a normal value for this instrument, but this cut-off score could be tailored to age and gender specificities.