Chronic rhinosinusitis and mood disturbance.

BACKGROUND: This study is part of the Chronic Rhinosinusitis Epidemiology Study (CRES). The overarching aim is to determine factors that influence the onset and severity of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). The aim of this analysis is to determine whether those with CRS are more likely to report psychiatric morbidity and in particular mood disturbance compared with healthy controls. METHODS: CRES consists of a study-specific questionnaire regarding demographic and socioeconomic factors and past medical history as well as a nasal symptom score (SNOT-22) and SF-36 (QoL - quality of life tool). Both of these tools contain mental health or emotional well-being domains. Participants were specifically asked whether they had ever consulted with their General Practitioner for anxiety or depression. Questionnaires were distributed to patients with CRS attending ENT outpatient clinics at 30 centres across the United Kingdom from 2007-2013. Controls were also recruited at these sites. Patients were divided into subgroups of CRS according to the absence/presence of polyps (CRSsNPs/CRSwNPs) or allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS). RESULTS: Consultations with a family physician for depression or anxiety were higher amongst those with CRS than controls, but this was only significant for those with CRSsNPs. Odds ratio (OR) for CRSsNPs vs controls: 1.89; OR for CRSwNPs: 1.40. Patients with CRS showed significantly higher mental health morbidity than controls across the mental health and emotional wellbeing domains of the SF-36 and SNOT-22. Mean difference in the mental health domain of SF-36 was 8.3 for CRSsNPs and 5.3 for CRSwNPs. For the emotional domain of SNOT-22, differences were 7.7 and 6.3 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Depression and anxiety are significantly more common in patients with CRS compared to healthy controls, especially in those with CRSsNPs. This added mental health morbidity needs consideration when managing these patients in primary and secondary care settings.

A randomised controlled trial of sodium citrate spray for non-conductive olfactory disorders.

OBJECTIVES: Previous research has suggested that sodium citrate improves hyposmia by decreasing mucus calcium levels in the nose. This study aimed to confirm or refute this effect in a single application and assess potential side-effects. DESIGN: Study design was a randomised double-blind controlled trial of sodium citrate nasal spray (intervention) vs sterile water (control). Fifty-five patients with non-conductive olfactory loss were randomised to receive the intervention or placebo. SETTING: Tertiary care clinic. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was improvement in measured olfactory thresholds for phenyl ethyl alcohol (PEA) over 2 hours. Other outcome measures assessed were improvement in olfactory thresholds in 1-butanol, eucalyptol and acetic acid; number of responders with a clinically relevant response in each arm; and adverse effects. RESULTS: A significant effect was seen in the intervention arm for PEA and for 1-butanol and eucalyptol when compared to the control arm (P<.05); 32% of the intervention arm responded in terms of improved sensitivity towards some of the odours. Minor adverse effects noted included sore throat, nasal paraesthesia, slight rhinorrhoea and itching. The duration of effect of the citrate is transient, peaking at 30-60 minutes after application. CONCLUSIONS: Sodium citrate yields some potential as a treatment for non-conductive olfactory loss; however, these findings require corroboration in further clinical trials looking at longer term regular use of the spray as a viable therapeutic option for patients where it would be applied at frequent intervals such as before mealtimes.

Management of pinna haematoma study (MaPHaeS): A multicentre retrospective observational study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess current variation in the management of pinna haematoma (PH) and its effect on outcomes. DESIGN: Multicentre retrospective observational record-based study. SETTING: Eleven hospitals around the UK. PARTICIPANTS: Eighty-three patients above the age of 16 with PH. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was recurrence rate of PH over a 6-month period post-treatment, assessed by treatment type (scalpel incision vs needle aspiration). Secondary outcome measures assessed the impact of other factors on recurrence, infection and cosmetic complications of PH over a period of 6 months. RESULTS: After adjusting for confounding factors, involvement of the whole ear, and management within an operating theatre were associated with a lower rate of recurrence of pinna haematoma. The drainage technique, suspected aetiology, choice of post-drainage management, grade and specialty of practitioner performing drainage, the use of antibiotic cover and hospital admission did not affect the rate of haematoma recurrence, infection or cosmetic complications. CONCLUSIONS: Where possible PH should be drained in an operating theatre. Multicentre randomized controlled trials are required to further investigate the impact of drainage technique and post-drainage management on outcome.

SNOT-22 in a control population.

OBJECTIVES: To assess SNOT-22 and its subscales in a non-rhinosinusitis UK-wide population. DESIGN: Self-reported questionnaire. SETTING: Based from 30 ENT departments around the UK. PARTICIPANTS: 250 Non-rhinosinusitis adults - no self-reported nasal problems in the past, no chronic conditions undergoing active treatment and no hospital admissions in the preceding 12 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: SNOT-22, SF-36. RESULTS: The mean SNOT-22 total score overall was 12.0. The mean was 10.2 for males with a median of 6.5 and a mean of 13.2 for females with a median of 9. Females scored significantly more highly than males on the sleep/fatigue and facial domains. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate differences in SNOT-22 amongst males and females. These data can be used in future studies for comparison with different disease populations with rhinosinusitis.

Chronic rhinosinusitis: patient experiences of primary and secondary care - a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the experience of CRS and its management from the perspective of patients with CRS. To our knowledge, this is the first qualitative study exploring sinus disease. DESIGN: Semi-structured qualitative interviews. SETTING: ENT outpatient clinic. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-one adult patients with CRS: 11 male, 10 female. Patients suffered from a range of types of CRS (including polyps and fungal disease) and differing durations of symptoms (1.5-47 years). Participants were purposively selected. Thematic analysis was used. OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient experience of CRS and its management. RESULTS: Patients had concerns regarding management of their symptoms by both healthcare professionals and themselves, including delays to referral and repeated medications. They reported reduced quality of life and high financial and psychosocial costs associated with living with CRS. CONCLUSIONS: Despite guidelines for CRS treatment, outcomes remain variable leading to dissatisfaction with treatment. Adherence to existing guidelines may result in fewer repeated consultations in primary care and earlier referrals to secondary care.