Impact of COVID-19 versus chronic rhinosinusitis/rhinitis associated olfactory dysfunction on health utility and quality of life

[摘要] Background Olfactory dysfunction (OD) is associated with both post-viral and inflammatory etiologies such as COVID-19 and chronic rhinosinusitis/rhinitis (CRS/R) respectively, to result in reduced quality of life (QoL). However, the former typically induces a sudden-onset OD while the latter has a gradual presentation. This study aims to establish and compare health utility values (HUVs) and olfactory-specific QoL measurements between patients with COVID-19 and CRS/R related OD. Methods This prospective study surveyed COVID-19 and CRS/R patients with self-reported OD using HUV assessments (EuroQol-visual analog scale [EQ-VAS], EuroQol-5 dimension [EQ-5D], time trade-off [TTO]) and olfactory and sinonasal QoL measures (questionnaire of olfactory disorders –negative and positive statements [QOD-NS + PS] and sino-nasal outcome test [SNOT-22]). A subgroup of subjects completed objective olfactory testing. Intergroup mean scores were compared using Mann–Whitney U tests. Results One hundred eleven subjects were enrolled: mean age ± SD (43.0 ± 15.4 years), 55.9% female. CRS/R was associated with lower HUVs as measured by EQ-VAS (CRS/R: 0.67 ± 0.18 vs. COVID-19: 0.74 ± 0.19, p  = .03) and worse SNOT-22 scores in both overall (CRS/R: 49.03 ± 21.04 vs. COVID-19: 27.58 ± 18.45, p  < .001) and subgroup analysis of objectively confirmed OD subjects (CRS/R: 52.40 ± 22.78 vs. COVID-19: 29.84 ± 21.10, p  = .01). On the other hand, COVID-19 has greater burden on olfactory-specific QoL (QOD-NS + PS, COVID-19: 23.19 ± 13.73 vs. CRS/R: 17.25 ± 11.38, p  = .04). Both groups demonstrated a similar decrease in health using the EQ-5D assessment. Conclusion CRS/R associated OD has a more severe impact on general health and sinonasal specific QoL outcomes, while COVID-19 associated OD has a greater burden on olfactory-specific QoL. Level of evidence Level 2c.

[学科分类] 环境科学（综合）

[关键词] chronic rhinosinusitis;COVID-19;health utility values;olfactory dysfunction;quality of life