Prevalence, determinants of chronic rhinosinusitis and its impact on quality of life among students in Karachi, Pakistan

Tafazzul Hyder Zaidi; Mubashir Zafar; Zafar Haleem Baloch; Alisha Shakeel; Nouman Mansoor Ali; Beenish Nisar Ahmed; Muhammad Amash Khan; Rafia Masood; Iman Fatima; Sarah Shakeel

doi:10.2144/fsoa-2022-0050

Prevalence, determinants of chronic rhinosinusitis and its impact on quality of life among students in Karachi, Pakistan

Future Sci OA. 2023 Jan 10;8(9):FSO824. doi: 10.2144/fsoa-2022-0050. eCollection 2022 Oct.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Community Medicine, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, 75510, Pakistan.
² Department of Family & Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Hail, Hail, 2440, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
³ , Anatomy Department, Sind Medical College, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi,75510, Pakistan.
⁴ Medical students, Sindh Medical College, Jinnah Sind Medical University, Karachi, 75510, Pakistan.
⁵ Otolaryngology Department, Khan Research Laboratory (KRL) Hospital, Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan.
⁶ University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan.

Abstract

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common public health issue among students.

Methodology: A total of 300 undergraduate students were selected through multistage cluster sampling from three public-sector universities. Sino-nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) and Rhinosinusitis Disability Index (RSDI) were used for determining the quality of life. Chi-square and independent t-test were used.

Results: About 46% and 54% (p = 0.001) of social science and health science students were suffering from CRS, respectively. Around 7% and 9% of CRS patients had poor quality of life according to SNOT-22 and RSDI, respectively (p = 0.042 and p = 0.032, respectively).

Conclusion: Quality of life was affected in all domains of SNOT-22 and RSDI.

Keywords: chronic rhinosinusitis; quality of life; smokers; students.

Plain language summary

Rhinosinusitis is a common problem in society. Students are affected commonly because of exposure and low awareness. This study determines the burden of flu among medical and nonmedical students. We conducted the survey in public-sector universities. Results of study found that medical students were more suffering from chronic flu. This flu affected the social and family life. Common symptoms are pain in the face, pain in the eye and continuous headache. There is need to increase awareness among students regarding flu.