Incidence and burden of comorbid pain and depression in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis awaiting endoscopic sinus surgery in Canada

BACKGROUND: This study sheds important light on the association between sino-nasal symptoms and global quality of life in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis waiting for endoscopic sinus surgery. Using patient-reported information collected pre-operatively, the primary objective was to report on patients’ pre-surgical sino-nasal symptoms and their association with self-reported pain and depression. The secondary objective was to report on levels of depression and pain among patients in the sample reporting severe sleep problems. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study of patient-reported outcomes collected prospectively from a cohort of 261 patients assigned to the wait list for elective endoscopic sinus surgery in a large urban region of Canada. RESULTS: Younger patients and patients with other medical comorbidities were most likely to report significant symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis and substantial associated pain and depression. In the primary analyses, patients reporting significant symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis were more likely to report moderate depression or high pain (p < 0.01). Subsequently, chronic rhinosinusitis patients with severe sleep problems were 82% likely to report moderate or severe depression and pain. CONCLUSION: Preoperative management of depression and pain may be considered in order to improve the health-related quality of life of patients waiting for ESS. As depression and pain were highly prevalent, patients with severe sleep problems may be candidates for prioritized access. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40463-017-0205-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.