# Modifiable Risk Factors for Symptom Burden in Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps: The Role of Obesity and Sleep Apnoea

## TL;DR

Obesity and sleep apnoea are linked to worse symptoms and quality of life in patients with nasal polyps and chronic sinusitis.

## Contribution

Identifies obesity and sleep apnoea as modifiable risk factors for symptom severity in CRSwNP.

## Key findings

- Higher BMI and sleep apnoea independently predict increased symptom severity in CRSwNP.
- BMI and sleep apnoea are associated with poorer quality of life in CRSwNP patients.
- Weight management and sleep apnoea screening could improve outcomes in CRSwNP.

## Abstract

To identify sociodemographic and clinical predictors of symptom severity and quality of life (QoL) impairment in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), diagnosed according to the latest EPOS 2020 criteria.

Cross‐sectional analytical study.

Tertiary Care Center (University Hospital of Jaén, Spain).

A total of 188 patients diagnosed with CRSwNP were evaluated. Symptom severity and QoL were assessed using the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE‐E) and the Sino‐Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT‐22). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify predictors of symptom burden.

Higher body mass index (BMI) and the presence of sleep apnoea were independently associated with increased symptom severity, as measured by both the NOSE‐E (adj. R
2 = 0.224, p = 0.002) and the SNOT‐22 (adj. R
2 = 0.242, p = 0.005). Smoking was associated in the bivariate analysis but was not retained in the multivariate models.

BMI and sleep apnoea are independent predictors of greater symptom burden and poorer QoL in CRSwNP. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating weight management and sleep apnoea screening into the multidisciplinary management of CRSwNP to improve patient outcomes.