Experience of People With Chronic Sinusitis During COVID-19 Lockdown in Saudi Arabia: Insights and Lessons

Background This study aims to evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 lockdown period on chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) symptoms control. Methodology This cross-sectional study was carried out on adult patients (aged ≥18 years) who visited King Abdulaziz University Hospital within six months before the lockdown starting date. Background information, including patients' diagnosis, presence of rhinitis, number of previous surgeries, and medications, was collected. CRS symptom burden was measured using a validated Arabic version of the 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22). Study participants were required to complete the survey two months after the start of the lockdown. Results Out of 66 patients, 43 agreed to participate. The majority of respondents (34, 75.6%) were diagnosed with CRS with nasal polyps. The study revealed no differences between pre- and post-lockdown total symptom scores. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the health system worldwide in many ways. Regarding the scope of our study, CRS symptoms, fortunately, did not worsen with the pandemic. This is considered the first reported study to assess such symptom control among people with CRS in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 lockdown period.