Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a condition of inflammation of the nose and paranasal sinuses affecting 6.8 million Britons. It has a great impact on quality of life and productivity. CRS is currently subdivided into two main types – with and without nasal polyps (CRSwNPs and CRSsNPs respectively. Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS) is severe subtype of CRSwNPs.

This study is part of the Chronic Rhinosinusitis Epidemiology Study (CRES). The overarching aim is to determine factors influencing onset and severity of CRS.

To determine whether those with CRS are more likely to report mood disturbance compared with healthy controls.

CRES is study-specific questionnaire asking about demographic and socioeconomic factors and past medical history as well as a nasal symptom score (SNOT-22) and SF-36 (QoL – quality of life tool). Questionnaires were distributed to patients with CRS attending ENT outpatient clinics at 30 centres across the United Kingdom from 2007–2013.

A total of 1470 participants were recruited (Table 1). Differences between those with CRS and controls were found; those with CRSsNPs reported significantly more consultations with their GP for depression and anxiety. Patients with CRS also showed significantly poorer mental well-being than controls across the mental health and emotional well-being domains of the QoL tools used. Those with CRSsNPs scored significantly worse than those with nasal polyps across all domains.

Mood disturbance is significantly more common in patients with CRS compared to healthy controls, especially in those with CRSsNPs. This added mental health morbidity needs consideration when managing such patients.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.