IMPACT OF SLEEP DYSFUNCTION ON PSYCHOLOGICAL BURDEN IN PATIENTS WITH EMPTY NOSE SYNDROME

The study titled "Impact of Sleep Dysfunction on Psychological Burden in Patients with Empty Nose Syndrome" aimed to explore the relationship between sleep disturbances and psychological symptoms in patients diagnosed with Empty Nose Syndrome (ENS). The research involved 46 patients who had undergone nasal reconstruction surgery using submucosal Medpor implantation between 2016 and 2021.

Study Design and Methods

Patients included in the study were diagnosed with ENS, characterized by paradoxical nasal obstruction following inferior turbinate surgery. The diagnosis was confirmed through symptoms, endoscopic findings, and a positive cotton test. Patients with other sinonasal conditions or psychiatric disorders were excluded. The study utilized the Empty Nose Syndrome 6-item Questionnaire (ENS6Q), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (EpSS), and Modified Sleep Quality Index (MSQI) to evaluate sleep quality, psychological burden, and symptom severity before and 6 months after surgery.

Results

The study revealed significant improvements in ENS symptoms, sleep quality, and psychological distress following surgery. Scores on the ENS6Q, EpSS, MSQI, BDI-II, and BAI all showed significant reductions post-operatively. Specifically, the ENS6Q score decreased from 16.7 to 7.5, EpSS from 11.1 to 7.5, MSQI from 27.9 to 16.9, BDI-II from 20.0 to 7.3, and BAI from 20.1 to 9.7, with all changes being statistically significant (p < 0.001).

The study also identified a strong association between sleep dysfunction and psychological symptoms. Notably, 41.3% of patients experienced moderate-to-severe depression preoperatively. The study used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the EpSS and MSQI in detecting moderate-to-severe depression. The ROC analysis revealed that the EpSS and MSQI were effective in identifying depression, with significant areas under the curve (AUC) indicating their utility in clinical settings.

Conclusions

The research underscored the significant impact of sleep dysfunction on psychological symptoms in ENS patients. The findings highlight the importance of addressing sleep issues as part of the management plan for ENS. Improved sleep quality post-surgery was associated with reduced psychological burden, indicating that effective management of sleep disturbances could enhance overall mental health outcomes. The study advocates for integrating sleep evaluation into the care of ENS patients to address and mitigate associated psychological distress.

Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the interplay between sleep and psychological health in ENS patients and supports the need for comprehensive approaches to managing both sleep dysfunction and psychological symptoms in this population.