Health utility reporting in chronic rhinosinusitis patients

Direct comparison of different diseases allows clinicians and researchers to place the burden of symptoms and impact on quality of life of each condition in context. Generic health-related quality-of-life assessment tools allow such analysis, and limited data are available for British patients with chronic rhinosinusitis.

As part of a larger feasibility study, patients underwent baseline assessment using the SNOT-22, SF-12 and EQ-5D-5L tools. Data were analysed using Microsoft Excel and algorithms available for the analysis of the later two tools. We plotted EQ-5D-5L VAS and utility scores and SF-12 MCS and PCS scores separately against SNOT-22 scores and quantified associations using bivariate ordinary least squares regression analysis.

Patients were prospectively recruited from six UK outpatient clinics.

Adult patients with chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (CRSsNPs).

Baseline SNOT-22, SF-12 and EQ-5D-5L scores.

Fifty-two adults were recruited with a mean age of 55 years, 51% were male. The mean SNOT-22 score was 43.82. Mental and physical component scores of the SF-12 were 46.53 and 46, respectively. Mean index score computed form the EQ-5D-5L was 0.75. Worse (higher) SNOT-22 scores were associated with lower EQ-5D-5L VAS and utility scores and SF-12 MCS and PCS scores.

The EQ-5D-5L suggests that British CRSsNPs patients are negatively impacted with regards to quality of life. We found the SF-12 to be less sensitive and conclude that the EQ-5D-5L tool is a quick and accessible method for assessing QOL in order it can be compared with other disease states.