Should average SNOT 22 scores be calculated regionally?

Abstract

Conclusion: The average SNOT 22 score should be calculated locally and be used as a reference when managing patients with nasal symptoms. Objective: To calculate the average Sino Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT) 22 score across Lanarkshire and to compare it with similar studies. Methodology: Prospective data collection in which SNOT 22 forms were filled by the Lanarkshire population who had no history of sinonasal disease. Participants included patient attendants and hospital staff across multiple hospital sites in NHS Lanarkshire. All patients with hay fever, previous nasal surgeries, or any history of use of topical steroid sprays were excluded from the study. Results: This study included 118 participants, out of which three had to be excluded due to unclear data entry. The total number for SNOT forms included for analysis was 115. This included 85 females and 29 males, while one form remained unanswered. The mean age was 49 (range = 15–81) years. The mean SNOT 22 score was 18 (range = 0–89).

Keywords:

• CRS (chronic rhino sinusitis)
• PROM (patient reported outcome measures)
• SNOT 22 (sino nasal outcome test)

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Ms Ashley Moss for her help in providing essential data for this study. This study was presented at the Scottish Otolaryngology Meeting in November 2013, and at the European Rhinologic Society’s meeting in Amsterdam in June 2014.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.