Assessing quality of life in septorhinoplasty patients with two different instruments

Quality of life (QOL) assessment in patients with nasal obstruction has not been well studied. The main objectives of this study were to determine the QOL of patients after septorhinoplasty, to measure the efficacy of septorhinoplasty with a validated quality-of-life instrument--the Nasal Obstructive Symptoms Evaluation (NOSE) scale--and with the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI) QOL scores comprising patient assessments of nasal function.

The patient population consisted of a consecutive series of 50 patients who underwent septorhinoplasty at the ages of 18 to 48 years between 2009 and 2011. Quality of life was assessed with the NOSE scale (pre- and postoperatively) and with GBI scores (postoperatively). Demographic data, along with patient assessments of nasal obstruction with a linear analogue scale, were recorded.

The mean patient age was 28.3 +/- 14.6 years (age range, 18-48 years). Twenty-eight patients were male (56%) and 22 (44%) were women. Evaluation of each of the 5 items on the NOSE scale individually revealed that patients experienced improvement in all areas. In this study, there was a statistically significant fall in all five parameters (p = 0.000 < 0.05). The mean total GBI score was 34.89 +/- 22.53 and the mean general subscale score was 38.25 +/- 24.31. The mean social support score was 19.67 +/- 33.79 and the mean physical health score was 36.67 +/- 27.97. Each patient had improved QOL scores on the GBI and NOSE scales (P < 0.05).

This study found improved QOL after rhinoplasty in Turkish adult patients. With proper pre-operative assessment and selection, excellent functional and psychosocial outcomes can be expected. NOSE and GBI are valuable tools for the assessment of benefit from nasal septal surgery for nasal obstruction and may be applicable in clinical practice.