Sinonasal symptoms in adults with ear disease

Background: The association between eustachian tube dysfunction and middle-ear effusion is well established. Studies have also demonstrated pathological changes affecting the middle-ear mucosa associated with chronic sinonasal inflammation. No previous studies have evaluated symptoms related to sinonasal inflammatory disease in different ear diseases. Objective: To assess the presence of sinonasal symptoms in ear diseases using the Dundee Rhinogram. Methods: Data were collected prospectively in the period February-October 2011. Sinonasal symptoms were graded using the Dundee Rhinogram. Student's t-test analyses were performed to identify any statistically significant associations. Results: In total, 164 patients were assessed. There was a statistically significant association between sinonasal symptoms and mucosal middle-ear diseases (p <0.005). The mean sinonasal symptoms score for mucosal middle-ear disease patients was 5.94 (range, 0-32). Conclusion: Assessment of sinonasal symptoms is paramount in patients presenting with an ear symptom; inflammatory sinonasal disease treatment may become necessary in the management of middle-ear mucosal disease for better patient outcome.