Rhinosinusitis Task Force Symptoms versus the Sinonasal Outcomes Test in Patients Evaluated for Chronic Rhinosinusitis

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare Rhinosinusitis Task Force (RSTF) symptom scores with Sinonasal Outcome Test 20 (SNOT-20) in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and controls. METHODS: An analysis was performed of prospectively collected data in patients with CRS (n=201) and controls (n=100). The severity of individual RSTF major and minor symptom scores graded on a visual analog scale and total symptom scores were compared between the two groups. Correlation of the RSTF symptoms with the SNOT-20 was performed using data collected from the CRS group at baseline and at 1 year postoperatively. RESULTS: CRS patients had higher RSTF symptom scores compared with control patients when asked to rate the severity of nasal obstruction, facial pain/pressure, facial congestion, alteration of smell, nasal discharge, postnasal drip, headache, halitosis, fatigue, cough, and ear pain (p < 0.005). No statistically significant difference was seen for the symptoms of dental pain and fever. Total RSTF scores were 54.5 +/- 1.9 in CRS patients versus 23.4 +/- 3.0 in controls. Total SNOT-20 scores were 28.7 +/- 0.8 in CRS patients versus 15.2 +/- 0.6 in controls. In CRS patients, total RSTF scores correlated with total SNOT-20 scores at baseline (r = 0.36; p < 0.0001) and 1-year postoperatively (r = 0.37; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Total RSTF symptom scores are significantly different in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis compared with those without this disease. The total RSTF symptom scores also correlate with a validated outcome measures instrument.