The impact of chronic rhinosinusitis on sleep-disordered breathing

Background: The nose plays an important role in sleep quality. Very little is known about sleep problems in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of CRS on sleep-disordered breathing. Methodology: CRS patients who underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery were collected between July 2010 and May 2015. Before surgery, they filled 20-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test and Epworth Sleepiness Scale questionnaires, were asked about the severity of nasal obstruction, and received acoustic rhinometry, smell test, an endoscopic examination, sinus computed tomography, and a one-night polysomnography. Sleep quality was evaluated in these patients and was correlated with the severity of rhinosinusitis. Results: One hundred and thirty-nine CRS patients were enrolled in the study. Among them, 38.1% complained of daytime sleepiness, and this sleep problem was correlated with the symptom of nasal obstruction. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) was diagnosed in 64.7% of the patients, but there was no correlation with the severity of rhinosinusitis. Nasal polyps did not worsen sleep problems in the CRS patients. Conclusions: This study showed that CRS patients had a high prevalence of OSAS, and worse OSAS in CRS patients was not correlated with the severity of rhinosinusitis.