title: Sino-nasal outcome test tool assessment in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and obstructive sleep apnea.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-20) is a rhinosinusitis quality of life instrument. Nonrhinologic illnesses like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may elevate SNOT-20 scores. We compared SNOT-20 outcomes in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) to those in patients with OSA.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed prospectively collected data of patients with CRS and OSA. Pretreatment SNOT-20 and Lund-Kennedy endoscopy scores were obtained. Scores and patterns of SNOT-20 symptom distribution were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-seven patients had CRS and 65 patients had OSA. Both groups had elevated mean total SNOT-20 scores (28 ± 12.2 and 29 ± 10.7, respectively). Higher scores were noticed for OSA patients on the wellness section of the SNOT-20 and for CRS patients on the sinonasal section of the SNOT-20 (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CRS and OSA patients present with elevated total SNOT-20 scores but differ in their symptom distribution pattern. This study demonstrates that other disorders can elevate SNOT-20 scores and confirms the need for additional objective data to confirm CRS diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Georgia Health Science University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.
authors.forename: Vasileios A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Lachanas
authors.forename: Troy D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Woodard
authors.forename: Jastin L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Antisdel
authors.forename: Stilianos E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Kountakis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires