title: Rhinosinusitis Task Force symptoms versus the Sinonasal Outcomes Test in patients evaluated for chronic rhinosinusitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to compare Rhinosinusitis Task Force (RSTF) symptom scores with Sinonasal Outcome Test 20 (SNOT-20) in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  An analysis was performed of prospectively collected data in patients with CRS (n=201) and controls (n=100). The severity of individual RSTF major and minor symptom scores graded on a visual analog scale and total symptom scores were compared between the two groups. Correlation of the RSTF symptoms with the SNOT-20 was performed using data collected from the CRS group at baseline and at 1 year postoperatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CRS patients had higher RSTF symptom scores compared with control patients when asked to rate the severity of nasal obstruction, facial pain/pressure, facial congestion, alteration of smell, nasal discharge, postnasal drip, headache, halitosis, fatigue, cough, and ear pain (p < 0.005). No statistically significant difference was seen for the symptoms of dental pain and fever. Total RSTF scores were 54.5 +/- 1.9 in CRS patients versus 23.4 +/- 3.0 in controls. Total SNOT-20 scores were 28.7 +/- 0.8 in CRS patients versus 15.2 +/- 0.6 in controls. In CRS patients, total RSTF scores correlated with total SNOT-20 scores at baseline (r = 0.36; p < 0.0001) and 1-year postoperatively (r = 0.37; p < 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Total RSTF symptom scores are significantly different in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis compared with those without this disease. The total RSTF symptom scores also correlate with a validated outcome measures instrument.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia 30912, USA.
authors: Francis T K
authors: FT
authors: Ling
authors: Stilianos E
authors: SE
authors: Kountakis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires