Association Between Nasal Obstruction Symptoms and Anxiety

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between nasal function assessment and anxiety scales. Methods: A total of 120 patients with the complaint of nasal obstruction were classified as nasal septum deviation group (DNS) and no nasal pathology group (NON). A control group was formed of 57 healthy participants. Nasal obstruction severity was assessed using the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale, nasal resistance level with rhinomanometry and anxiety levels with the Agoraphobic Cognitions Questionnaire (ACQ), and the Body Sensations Questionnaire (BSQ). Results: There was a statistically significant difference between both the DNS and the NON groups and control group in terms of NOSE scale, ACQ, and BSQ ( P < .001). The total nasal resistance values were higher in the DNS group compared to both the NON and control groups ( P < .001), although the difference between the NON group and control group was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that patients with nasal breathing complaints, but no organic pathology, had the same level of nasal obstruction symptoms as patients with nasal septal deviations. Anxiety levels are elevated in patients with symptoms of nasal obstruction, even when there is lack of organic nasal pathology.