The functional and psychological burden of empty nose syndrome

The research titled "The functional and psychological burden of empty nose syndrome" investigates the significant mental health and functional impairments experienced by individuals suffering from Empty Nose Syndrome (ENS). Conducted under the auspices of the human ethics and research committee at Stanford University, the study involved self-identified ENS patients recruited from online forums between January and May 2017. Participants were required to demonstrate a positive score on the Empty Nose Syndrome 6-item Questionnaire (ENS6Q) and provide medical documentation and CT imaging confirming a history of inferior turbinate reduction.

The study included 53 ENS individuals, with an average age of 39.8 years, and assessed various aspects of their health using several validated questionnaires, including the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) for depression, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder questionnaire (GAD-7), and the Work Productivity and Impairment questionnaire (WPAI). The results revealed that a significant proportion of participants reported clinically significant symptoms of depression (68%) and anxiety (66%). The average duration of symptoms among participants was 8.2 years, indicating a long-term burden.

Key findings highlighted a strong correlation between the severity of ENS symptoms and levels of depression, anxiety, and impairment in daily activities. Specifically, participants reported a 62% reduction in workplace productivity and a 65% reduction in their ability to engage in non-work-related activities. The study also found that participants experienced moderate difficulties in mobility, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression, as measured by the EuroQol General Health State Survey (EQ-5D-5L).

The study concluded that individuals with ENS carry a clinically significant psychiatric disease burden, which severely impacts their quality of life and daily functioning. The findings underscore the need for further research to explore the psychiatric aspects of ENS and to develop comprehensive treatment strategies that address both the physical and mental health challenges faced by these patients. Future studies are encouraged to include mental health and functional outcomes as part of clinical improvement markers in ENS treatment interventions, thereby informing better management strategies for this condition.