Measurement of Nasal Polyp Patient Symptomatology over Time Using the Sinonasogram: Initial Validation

Abstract

Objectives:

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps is a common disorder that requires multiple methods to monitor disease burden. There is no validated questionnaire to monitor nasal polyp patient symptoms over time. We describe a novel 10-item questionnaire (Sinonasogram) which is currently used in clinical practice to evaluate current and 4-week symptoms that are common to patients with chronic rhinosinusitis.

Methods:

Twenty-five consecutive patients with nasal polyps seen in a university setting were included in this retrospective review. Patients were included if they had multiple visits to clinic and filled out the Sinonasogram questionnaire at each visit. Nasal polyp score was graded on a (0-5) scale. Statistical analysis was performed to determine correlation between changes in current, 4-week, and total Sinonasogram score and changes in nasal polyp score and to determine internal consistency.

Results:

Twenty-five patients were included for analysis with a total of 81 clinic visits. Changes in total and current Sinonasogram scores were significantly correlated with changes in nasal polyp scores (P = .004, P = .002). Individual symptom scores best predicting nasal polyp size were nasal obstruction, hyposmia, and anterior rhinorrhea (P < .001, P < .001, P < .001). Cronbach’s alpha test for internal consistency was 0.8244 for current Sinonasogram score and 0.8878 for 4-week Sinonasogram score.

Conclusions:

The Sinonasogram is a valid tool for monitoring nasal polyp symptoms and can predict changes in nasal polyp size. Symptoms that were found to be most associated with nasal polyps were nasal obstruction, hyposmia, and anterior rhinorrhea.