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| Poster #119 Chemosensory function and psychological factors in chronic nasal obstruction |
| Flavia Costa Varela, Daniel Miller, Antje Welge-Lüssen, Simona Negoias Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck-Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, --, Switzerland |
Chronic nasal obstruction (CNO) affects up to one-third of the population, with symptoms often inconsistent with anatomical findings or objective measurements. This study aimed to investigate the role of chemosensory function and psychological factors such as depression, anxiety, and stress in CNO. Literature suggests that trigeminal sensitivity, contributing to nasal airflow perception, and psychological factors like anxiety and depression significantly impact symptom perception and post-surgical outcomes in CNO. An ongoing prospective case-control study is conducted at a tertiary rhinology clinic with currently 115 participants (86 patients with CNO and 29 controls; M:F = 64:51; mean age 36.34 ± 12.7 years). Subjective nasal obstruction was assessed using NOSE and NO-VAS scales, while objective measurements included peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) and anterior rhinomanometry (AR). Chemosensory tests comprised trigeminal sensitivity (lateralization test) and olfactory function (Sniffin’ Sticks), alongside psychological evaluations via the Patients Health Questionnaire (PHQ) questionnaire. Results revealed no significant differences in objective nasal obstruction measurements or trigeminal sensitivity between groups. However, patients with CNO displayed significantly lower olfactory function and higher levels of depression and stress compared to controls. Subjective nasal obstruction strongly correlated with psychological factors, but not with objective measurements or trigeminal sensitivity. These findings suggest that CNO is multifactorial, with psychological variables playing a key role in symptom perception. Further investigation into anatomical and chemosensory contributions are vital in understanding CNO. |