Comparison of SNOT‐25 and ENS6Q in evaluating patients with empty nose syndrome

OBJECTIVES: Patients with empty nose syndrome (ENS) experience paradoxical nasal obstruction and various psychological burdens. This study aimed to compare ENS‐specific questionnaires of sino‐nasal outcome test‐25 (SNOT‐25) and empty nose syndrome 6‐item questionnaire (ENS6Q) in the peri‐operative evaluation of ENS. METHODS: This was a prospective case series study. Patients with ENS were recruited and evaluated with the SNOT‐25, ENS6Q, beck depression inventory‐II (BDI‐II), and beck anxiety inventory (BAI) before and 6 months after nasal reconstruction surgery. RESULTS: Seventy‐four ENS patients were enrolled during the study period. All four evaluations revealed significant improvements after surgery. Pre‐operative SNOT‐25 scores exhibited a significant correlation with pre‐operative ENS6Q (r = 0.682), BDI‐II (r = 0.485), and BAI scores (r = 0.608) (p < 0.001), as well as a weak correlation with post‐operative SNOT‐25 (r = 0.336), BDI‐II (r = 0.266), and BAI scores (r = 0.235) (p < 0.05). Additionally, pre‐operative ENS6Q scores were significantly correlated with pre‐operative BDI‐II (r = 0.434), BAI (r = 0.521) (p < 0.001), and post‐operative ENS6Q scores (r = 0.262, p < 0.05). However, there was no correlation between pre‐operative ENS6Q scores and post‐operative BDI‐II and BAI scores. CONCLUSIONS: Both SNOT‐25 and ENS6Q were helpful in evaluating peri‐operative symptoms for patients with ENS. Although the ENS6Q score had a good correlation with the BDI‐II and BAI scores preoperatively, it was not associated with post‐operative BDI‐II and BAI scores. Hence, a simultaneous psychological assessment is necessary when evaluating patients using the ENS6Q. Level of Evidence: 2c