Evaluation of sinonasal complaints in obstructive sleep apnea

Abstract

Background/Aim: Sinonasal complaints are frequently observed in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This study aimed to correlate the severity of OSA with sinonasal complaints. Methods: A total of 90 patients, including 30 patients with mild, 30 with moderate, and 30 with severe OSA, were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. None of the patients received any treatment for OSA at the time of enrollment. All participants were asked to complete the SNOT-22 questionnaire. Subdomain scores obtained from the patients with the SNOT-22 questionnaire, total scores, and scores obtained for each complaint were investigated for any correlations with severity of OSA. Also, mild, moderate, and severe OSA groups were compared with each in terms of these scores. Results: A significant, positive correlation was found between AHI values and “nasal obstruction,” “runny nose,” “lack of a good night's sleep” and “waking up tired” items of the SNOT-22 (P=0.008, P=0.022, P=0.037, P=0.005, respectively) and nonrhinologic otolaryngologic subdomain scores (P=0.036). A significant, positive correlation existed between the severity of OSA and sleep subdomain score (P=0.039) and the total score (P=0.047) in addition to all the above-mentioned elements. There was no difference between mild and moderate OSA groups in nasal obstruction and runny nose complaints (P=0.858, P=0.990, respectively) but a difference was noted between mild and severe (P=0.016, P=0.011, respectively), and moderate and severe OSA groups (P=0.015, P=0.011, respectively). While there was no difference between mild and moderate (P=0.268), and moderate and severe OSA groups (P=0.036) in terms of the 'waking up tired' item, the mild and severe OSA groups differed significantly (P=0.009). Conclusion: OSA causes various sinonasal complaints such as nasal obstruction, runny nose, and waking up tired. An increase in OSA severity leads to an increase in these complaints, and treatment may lead to increased quality of life.

Keywords

• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Sinonasal complaints
• Apnea-hypopnea index

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