A UK Community-based Survey on the Prevalence of Rhinosinusitis

Abstract

Objectives

There is limited information about the prevalence of rhinosinusitis in the UK community. This study aims to identify its prevalence and investigate any association with demographic variables. The secondary aims are to determine the degree of impairment, impact on quality of life and any costs incurred by patients.

Design

We used a modified version (MSNOT-20) of a quality of life instrument; the sinonasal outcome test -20 (SNOT-20), in a small and successful pilot project. It was then used in a community-based survey and a second phase 6-months later to test repeatability. Nasal examination and comparison of its quality of life section with other health-related quality of life tools occurred in the second phase.

Setting and Participants

The questionnaire was administered by post to 2,000 Farnborough (UK) residents, selected through stratified randomisation. The relation of an abnormal MSNOT-20 score with hay fever, asthma, smoking, food allergy, work productivity and social limitation were also analysed.

Main Outcome and Results

The response rate was 79.8%; over thirty per cent of the community suffer from upper respiratory tract symptoms with impact on multiple domains of quality of life including emotional, financial costs and loss of days at work. The MSNOT-20 provided a more sensitive assessment of health related quality of life than the Short Form-36 questionnaire.

Conclusion

Rhinosinusitis is prevalent in the Farnborough community and associated with significant morbidity and impairment on quality of life. The MSNOT-20 is a useful disease-specific quality of life tool in rhinosinusitis.

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