The efficiency of Nose Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale on patients with nasal septal deviation

Abstract

Objective: The aim in this study was to evaluate the efficiency of Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale for septoplasty (without turbinate reduction) in comparison with other examination methods. Methods: Prospective observational study was undertaken in otolaryngology department of university hospital. NOSE scale for quality of life assessment, visual analog scale for examination findings, acoustic rhinometry and coronal computed tomography were performed before and after septoplasty. The efficiency of NOSE scale to assess for septoplasty results and the correlation between NOSE scores and other techniques was analyzed. Results: Twenty-seven patients underwent septoplasty; there was a very significant improvement in mean NOSE scores of patients (60.2 versus 11.28, p<0.01). There was no correlation between NOSE scores and acoustic rhinometry. Correlation was found between NOSE scores and examination and computed tomography findings (p<0.05). Conclusion: NOSE scale that is well correlated with examination findings and computed tomography, is very useful tool to evaluate the effectiveness of pure septoplasty. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.