Relationship between nasal septal deformity, symptoms and disease severity in chronic rhinosinusitis

The objective of this study was to evaluate the interaction of nasal septal deformity (NSD), including the contribution of septal spurs, with the severity of subjective symptoms, impairment of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and sinus mucosal hyperplasia in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). One hundred seventeen patients with CRS were assigned to three groups with mild, moderate or severe NSD, according to the measured nasal septal angle, including the presence of contact septal spurs. All CRS patients completed the visual analog scale (VAS) symptom severity score and the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) questionnaire. Symptoms scores, SNOT-22 and Lund–Mackay (LM) scores among the three NSD groups were compared. Related anatomy from the study group was compared with 100 control patients. VAS score for postnasal discharge in CRS patients was significantly higher in patients with mild NSD. There was a significantly higher LM score in CRS patients with severe NSD, compared to those with mild ( P = 0.001) or moderate NSD ( P = 0.005). CRS patients with a contact spur demonstrated a significantly higher LM score ( P = 0.006) compared to those without a contact spur, and no differences in VAS symptom scores or HRQoL scores. There was a similar prevalence of septal deformities in CRS patients and in the non-ENT population. Our results support the conclusion that in patients with CRS, associated NSD or contact septal spur do not contribute significantly to CRS symptom severity or HRQoL impairment, but may have an impact on sinus mucosal hyperplasia.