BACKGROUND:Quantitative mucus cytokine analysis to examine the sinonasal microenvironment may bridge the gap between patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and empirical measures of inflammation in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). OBJECTIVE:Investigate the correlation between mucus cytokine levels and Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) scores, including individual subdomains. METHODS:Patients with CRS were prospectively recruited between 2016 and 2021 into a multi-institutional observational study. Mucus was collected from the olfactory cleft and evaluated for mucus cytokine biomarkers. Spearman correlations (ρ) between cytokine levels and SNOT-22 scores, including individual subdomains, Lund-Mackay (LM) CT and Lund-Kennedy (LK) endoscopy scores were assessed. Subgroup analysis based on nasal polyp status (CRSsNP-without nasal polyps; CRSwNP-with nasal polyps) was also performed. Linear regression was employed to identify multivariate associations between cytokine expression levels, clinical covariates, and SNOT-22 total and domain scores. RESULTS:A total of 127 patients were included in the study (CRSsNP = 53, CRSwNP = 74). IL-9 (ρ = 0.196, p < 0.05) was the only biomarker that correlated with the SNOT-22 total score. CRSwNP patients had a higher absolute expression level of Type 2 biomarkers (IgE, IL-5, and IL-13), compared to CRSsNP patients. IgE, IL-5, IL-9, and IL-13 significantly correlated with the SNOT-22 rhinologic subdomain scores (p < 0.001), LM scores, and patient reported sense of smell (Question 21). Notably, subgroup analysis showed that CRSsNP patients also demonstrated significant correlations between Type 2 markers (IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, and IL-13) and SNOT-22 rhinologic subdomain scores. CONCLUSION:Type 2 mucus cytokine levels, especially IL-9, correlate with SNOT-22, and the rhinologic SNOT-22 subdomain scores for both CRSsNP and CRSwNP patients.

Objective. To compare differences in otolaryngology residents' salaries in different cities and states before and after adjusting for the cost of living. Study Design. Cross-sectional analysis. Setting. Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) otolaryngology residency program websites. Methods. US otolaryngology residency programs were identified via the ACGME database in December 2023. Stipends posted by each residency program were compared to the cost of living (COL) for related states and major cities. A baseline value of 100 was used as the mean COL, values over 100 indicate above-mean COL. The weighted salary by state and cities for postgraduate year (PGY) 1 to 5 combined was expressed as mean (SD). Comparisons between salaries before and after adjustment for the COL were assessed using t tests. Results. The mean otolaryngology residency stipend across the nation, by city, was $70,572 (n = 1290, range: $58,100-$93,402; SD = $8370), with a post-COL adjustment mean stipend of $64,055 (range: $39,193-$76,674, SD = $10,094, p < .001). Otolaryngology residents in Manhattan, New York State faced a mean decrease from $89,282 to $39,193 (-56%) post-COL adjustments. Following that were Boston and Los Angeles programs which saw a -$26,402 (-32%) and -$24,761 (-32%) mean decrease after COL adjustments, respectively. Conclusion. Otolaryngology residents in high-cost areas experience significant salary reductions because of COL adjustments, resulting in financial strain. Residents in such regions endure increased financial pressure compared to those in low-cost areas, as current salaries fail to align with living expenses.

The aim of this paper was to systematically review and compare the Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index (AHI), Lowest O2 Saturation (LSAT), Oxygen Desaturation Index (ODI), Epworth Sleep Scale (ESS), and Body Mass Index (BMI) between dentofacial (skeletal) classes I, II, and III before and after maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA). The PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL databases were searched from inception to 23 November 2022. Two reviewers screened for articles that reported occlusion/malocclusion class type as I, II, or III, and reported preoperative and postoperative AHI, LSAT, ODI, ESS, and/or BMI. Two reviewers independently screened title/abstracts and subsequently, full-text articles that met eligibility criteria. Preoperative ESS and ODI were significantly higher in Class II (13.77, 95% CI, 11.38% to 16.17% and 47.49, 95% CI, 33.04% to 61.95%) than in Class III (12.47, 95% CI, 9.95% to 14.99% and 32.47, 95% CI, -10.37% to 75.30%) (p < 0.0001). Postoperatively, class I showed the greatest percentage reduction of AHI, with a reduction of 89.61% (95% CI, 84.47% to 94.75%) compared with class II and III (p < 0.0001). Additionally, amongst all malocclusion classes and operative status, meta-regression showed positive correlations between ESS and AHI (r = 0.94, p < 0.001) and ESS and ODI (r = 0.90, p < 0.001). Class I subjects with no dentofacial discrepancy had the greatest improvement in AHI compared with Class II and III. Class II subjects may express more severe ODI and ESS preoperatively compared with Class III subjects. Additionally, subjective outcomes (ESS) may be a predictor for objective outcomes (AHI and ODI) for patients undergoing MMA.

Many studies have identified a higher degree of Olfactory Dysfunction (OD) in Black patients compared to White patients. This study aims to analyze olfactory outcomes in different races.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to analyze barriers to medical care and follow-up in patients with allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS). STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional questionnaire-based study with retrospective chart review. SETTING Tertiary Medical Center. METHODS Subjects with AFRS and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) were prospectively recruited for completion of the Barriers to Care Questionnaire (BCQ) and formal chart review. RESULTS Fifty-nine AFRS and 51 CRSwNP patients participated. AFRS patients were more likely to be lost to follow-up within 6 months of surgery (35.6% vs 17.7%, P = 0.04) and no-show at least 1 appointment (20.3% vs 5.9%, P = 0.03) compared to CRSwNP patients. Men with AFRS were more likely to have only a single follow-up visit (37.0% vs 3.1%, P < 0.001) and be lost to follow-up (66.7% vs 9.4%, P < 0.001) than women. There were no significant differences in the BCQ between groups; however, rate of questionnaire completion was lower in the AFRS group than the CRS group (62.7% vs 80.4%, P = 0.042). AFRS patients who did not complete the BCQ were more likely to be male (63.6% vs 35.1%, P = 0.034), lost to follow-up (77.3% vs 10.8%, P < 0.0001), and have a single follow-up visit (40.9% vs 5.4%, P < 0.0001). Younger age was associated with increased likelihood of having a single follow-up visit (odds ratio 1.143, 95% CI 1.022-1.276). CONCLUSION Young, male AFRS patients are more frequently lost to follow-up after surgery and less likely to complete questionnaires assessing barriers to care. Further investigation is needed to assess barriers to follow-up in these at-risk groups.

Study objectives Maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) is an effective surgical option for patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). As a relatively new treatment option, patients may turn to the Internet to learn more. However, online patient education materials (OPEMs) on MMA may be written at a higher literacy level than recommended for patients. The aim of this study was to analyze the readability of OPEMs on MMA. Methods A Google search of “maxillomandibular advancement” was performed, and the first 100 results were screened. Websites that met eligibility criteria were analyzed for their readability using the Automated Readability Index (ARI), Coleman-Liau Index (CLI), Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL), Gunning Fog (GF), and Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG) and compared to the recommended sixth-grade reading level using one-tailed t tests. Readability scores were compared based on the type of website, including hospitals/universities or physician clinics, using ANOVA tests. Results The mean (SD) for ARI, CLI, FKGL, GF, and SMOG was 11.91 (2.43), 13.42 (1.81), 11.91 (2.06), 14.32 (2.34), and 13.99 (1.56), respectively. All readability scores were significantly higher than a sixth-grade reading level ( p < 0.001). After comparing readability scores between different website types (university/hospital, clinic, and other), there was no statistical difference found. Conclusions The available OPEMs on MMA surgery for OSA are above the recommended sixth-grade reading level. Identifying and reducing the gap between the reading levels of OPEMs and the reading level of the patient are needed to encourage a more active role, informed decisions, and better patient satisfaction.

BACKGROUND:It is unclear whether chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) endotypes show a differential response to endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). We explored patient mucous inflammatory cytokine expression and associations with patient-reported and clinically measured post-operative outcome measures. METHODS:Patients with CRS were prospectively recruited between 2016 and 2021 into a national multicenter, observational study. Mucus was collected from the olfactory cleft preoperatively and evaluated for 26 biomarkers using cluster analysis. Patient-reported outcome measures included the 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) and Questionnaire of Olfactory Dysfunction (QOD). Additional clinical measures of disease severity included threshold, discrimination, and identification (TDI) scores using "Sniffin' Sticks" testing and Lund-Kennedy endoscopic score (LKES). RESULTS:A total of 115 patients were clustered into type 2 inflammatory, non-type 2 inflammatory, noninflammatory, and two indeterminate clusters based on individual protein levels. Overall, the type 2 inflammatory cluster was found to have the highest mean improvement in both SNOT-22 (-28.3 [standard deviation, ±16.2]) and TDI (6.5 [standard deviation, ±7.9]) scores 6 months after ESS. However, on average, all endotype clusters demonstrated improvement in all outcome measures after ESS without statistically significant between-group differences in SNOT-22 (p = 0.738), QOD (p = 0.306), TDI (p = 0.358), or LKES (p = 0.514) measures. CONCLUSIONS:All CRS endotype clusters responded favorably to surgery and showed improvements in patient-reported and objective outcome measures. Thus, ESS should be considered a more generalized CRS therapy, and benefits appear to not be limited to specific endotypes.

Background Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) is a chronic inflammatory condition with significant patient morbidity and associated healthcare costs. While the economic burden of CRS overall has been previously described, the economic impact of CRSwNP has received less attention. Patients with CRSwNP have higher disease burden and healthcare resource utilization than those with CRS without nasal polyposis. Rapid evolution of medical management in recent years with the use of targeted biologics warrants further investigation into the economic burden of CRSwNP. Objective Provide an updated review of the literature on the economic impact of CRSwNP. Methods A literature review. Results Research shows that patients with CRSwNP have higher direct costs and usage of ambulatory services compared to matched non-CRS controls. Patients undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) incur roughly $13,000 in costs which is particularly relevant given the rate of disease recidivism and need for revision surgery associated with CRSwNP. Disease burden additionally leads to indirect costs through loss of wages and productivity due to work absenteeism and presenteeism, with estimates of up to roughly $10,000 lost in mean annual productivity cost in refractory CRSwNP. Several studies have shown FESS to be more cost-effective in intermediate and long-term management than medical therapy with biologics, despite similar long-term outcomes with respect to quality-of-life metrics. Conclusion CRSwNP is a chronic condition with high recurrence rates making it a challenge to manage over time. Current research suggests that FESS is more cost-effective than medical management, including use of newer biologics. Further investigation into both direct and indirect costs associated with medical management is warranted to perform accurate cost-effectiveness analyses and allow for the best allocation of limited healthcare resources.