Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 4, 2026

Symptom Assessment of Patients with Allergic Rhinitis Using an Allergen Exposure Chamber
Published on: March 3, 2023
Quantitative sinonasal symptom assessment in an unselected pediatric population with cystic fibrosis
Jennifer L Wentzel1, Isabel Virella-Lowell, Rodney J Schlosser
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.
Insights
The Sinus and Nasal Quality of Life Survey (SN-5) effectively measures sinonasal symptoms in children with cystic fibrosis (CF). Scores correlate with sinusitis episodes and missed school days, aiding in symptom monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Pulmonology
- Quality of Life Research
Background:
- Cystic Fibrosis (CF) often impacts sinonasal health in pediatric patients.
- Establishing baseline sinonasal quality of life (QoL) is crucial for understanding disease burden.
- Current QoL metrics need validation in unselected pediatric CF populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine baseline sinonasal QoL scores in children with CF.
- To assess the correlation between sinonasal QoL scores and clinical outcomes.
- To evaluate the utility of the Sinus and Nasal Quality of Life Survey (SN-5) tool.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the SN-5 tool in 50 pediatric CF patients (ages 2-12).
- Collected data on sinusitis episodes, antibiotic use, hospitalizations, and school absenteeism.
- Reviewed CF genotype, pulmonary function, sinus surgery history, and CT scan results.
Main Results:
- Pediatric CF patients had lower average SN-5 scores than reported for chronic sinusitis.
- SN-5 scores correlated significantly with sinusitis episodes, antibiotic prescriptions, and missed school days.
- No significant correlation found between SN-5 scores and CF genotype, pulmonary function, or hospitalizations.
Conclusions:
- The SN-5 tool is a reliable and safe method for monitoring sinonasal symptoms in pediatric CF patients.
- SN-5 scores provide valuable insights into the impact of sinonasal issues on daily life.
- This tool can aid clinicians in managing sinonasal health in this population.
Introduction:
The aim of this study was to establish baseline sinonasal quality of life scores in an unselected pediatric population with cystic fibrosis (CF) and to test the correlation of those scores with various clinical outcome measurements.
Methods:
A total of 50 consecutive children, ages 2-12 years, seen routinely in a large CF clinic were evaluated by using the Sinus and Nasal Quality of Life Survey (SN-5) tool at the time of their visit. At this time, the parent or guardian of the child was also questioned about recent episodes of sinusitis, antibiotic prescriptions for sinusitis, recent hospitalizations, and days missed from school or recreational activities due to sinonasal symptoms. CF genotype, pulmonary function, recent sinus surgeries, and computed tomography scores were established by thorough chart review.
Results:
The average SN-5 score of this group was lower than published averages in children with baseline, preoperative, or postoperative chronic sinusitis, and demonstrated significant correlations with a visual analog scale, recent episodes of sinusitis, antibiotic prescriptions for sinusitis, and the number of days missed from school or recreational activities due to sinonasal symptoms, with a nonsignificant trend observed with previous sinus surgery. No correlations were seen with CF genotype, pulmonary function, or hospitalization days. Computed tomography results were overwhelmingly abnormal, and Lund-MacKay scores did not correlate with SN-5 scores or clinical outcome measurements.
Conclusions:
The SN-5 tool provides a quick, safe, and reliable qualitative metric for monitoring sinonasal symptoms in young children with CF.
Related Concept Videos
Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract I: Health History
Subjective Data
Subjective data provides vital information about the patient's health history and symptoms. This data is typically collected through interviews in which patients describe their experiences, symptoms, and concerns.
Health history and...
Cystic Fibrosis: Management
Sinus disease and chronic...
Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis
CF is primarily caused by a genetic mutation in a chromosome 7 gene coding for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. The most common gene mutation leading to CF is the ΔF508 mutation,...
Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract II: Inspection
Chest Configuration
The chest configuration...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies
Medical History
Suctioning the Nasopharyngeal Airway
Equipment Required

