Abstract
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.
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