SNOT 22 SCORES IN DEVIATED NASAL SEPTUM PATIENTS: SYMPTOMATIC VERSUS ASYMPTOMATIC

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to compare SNOT 22 scores between normal patients with deviated nasal septum without symptoms (DNS) and symptomatic patients.

Materials & Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in Nepalgunj Medical College from January 2016 to March 2018. SNOT 22 scoring was recorded from patients planned for septoplasty (study group) and was compared with scoring of DNS patients without direct symptoms of deviated septum (control group).

Results: There were 107 control group subjects and 60 study group patients. Average total SNOT 22 score in the control group was 1.6 while it was 29.7 in the study group. Four symptoms had mean scores more than 2, which include cleaning of nose, nasal blockage, nasal discharge and facial pain. All 22 items had a significant (P<0.001) lower symptom score in the control group. Nasal blockage mean score was 2.82 in the study group which equates to moderate problem compared to 0.07 in the control group almost equating to no problem. Scores of psychological and cognitive symptoms were also higher comparable to nasal symptoms in the study group.

Conclusion: Symptomatic DNS have significant higher scores in all items of SNOT 22 when compared with asymptomatic DNS. Four symptoms: cleaning of nose, nasal blockage, nasal discharge and facial pain were scored as moderate by symptomatic patients while nasal blockage was the major complaint in patients with symptomatic DNS.

Keywords: SNOT 22, Symptomatic DNS, Deviated Nasal Septum