The Cooperative Outcomes Group for ENT: a multicenter prospective cohort study on the effectiveness of medical and surgical treatment for patients with chronic rhinosinusitis.
OBJECTIVE
To assess outcomes for patients with chronic rhinosinusitis.


METHODS
Prospective, multicenter study; 31 otolaryngologists enrolled 276 adult patients with chronic rhinosinusitis; patients completed surveys at 3-month intervals, and physicians provided clinical and treatment data. The primary outcome measure was the Chronic Sinusitis Survey-Duration (CSS-D).


RESULTS
One hundred seventeen adult patients completed 12-month follow-up. Most patients reported sinus symptoms lasting longer than 3 years (74%). Patients showed significant improvement (group P < 0.0001) in the CSS-D score at each follow-up interval. Baseline CSS-D ( P < 0.0001), surgical intervention ( P < 0.003), and Lund-McKay score ( P < 0.04) were predictive of clinical success in regression analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients referred to an otolaryngologist have a severe sinus illness. Treatment by an otolaryngologist was associated with significant improvement in sinus-related symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
The study demonstrated the feasibility of multicenter outcome studies in chronic rhinosinusitis and generated testable hypotheses for future investigation.


METHODS
C.
Witsell
David L
DL
Duke University Medical Center, Divison of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Durham Veterans Administration Medical Center, NC 27710, USA. witse001@mc.duke.edu
Stewart
Michael G
MG
Monsell
Edwin M
EM
Hadley
James A
JA
Terrell
Jeffrey E
JE
Hannley
Maureen T
MT
Holzer
Susan Sedory
SS
D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors