Predictors of Long-Term Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation Score Stability Following Septoplasty With Inferior Turbinate Reduction

Objectives/Hypothesis Determine the postoperative Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) score stability between 1 and >= 6 months after septoplasty with inferior turbinate reduction (ITR). Education level and occupation were evaluated to determine their effects on NOSE score stability during the postoperative period. Study Design Retrospective case series. Methods This was a retrospective case series. Patients were included if they underwent septoplasty with ITR for nasal obstruction due to septal deviation and inferior turbinate hypertrophy. NOSE scores were collected preoperatively, and at 1 and >= 6 months postoperatively. Education level and occupation were collected postoperatively via telephone survey. Changes in NOSE scores were compared between the different time points. Education level and occupation were analyzed to determine if they affected NOSE scores. Results There were 98 patients included, and 56 were male (57.1%). Mean NOSE scores preoperatively and at 1 and >= 6 months postoperatively were 72.1, 17.1, and 12.0, respectively. Patients demonstrated a statistically and clinically significant reduction in NOSE score at 1 month (-54.9, P < .001) and at >= 6 months postoperatively (-60.0, P < .001). The mean 6.2-point decrease in NOSE score from 1 to >= 6 months was statistically, but not clinically significant. There were no significant differences in NOSE score changes based on educational level and occupation. Conclusions Patients achieved statistically and clinically significant reductions in NOSE scores at 1 months, with no clinically significant differences in NOSE scores at >= 6 months, suggesting NOSE score stability between these postoperative time points. Neither education level nor occupation influenced NOSE scores. Level of Evidence 4. Laryngoscope, 2020

Automated summary

The study aimed to determine the stability of postoperative Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scores between 1 month and >= 6 months after septoplasty with inferior turbinate reduction. The results showed a significant reduction in NOSE scores at 1 month postoperatively, with stability in scores at >= 6 months. Education level and occupation did not have a significant impact on NOSE score changes.