The health impact of chronic recurrent rhinosinusitis in children.

OBJECTIVES To report and quantify the health-related quality of life of children who require surgical intervention for chronic recurrent rhinosinusitis and to assess the perspective of the child vs that of the parent. DESIGN Prospective, observational. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTION Twenty-one of a consecutive sample of 35 children undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery for infectious indications completed, along with their parents, the Child Health Questionnaire. The Child Health Questionnaire measures in parallel both child and parent perceptions of health by means of separate parent proxy report (Child Health Questionnaire-Parent Form 50) and child self-report (Child Health Questionnaire-Child Form 87) questionnaires concerning physical and psychosocial functioning. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Tabulated scores from both the Child Health Questionnaire-Parent Form 50 and Child Health Questionnaire-Child Form 87 were compared with published data from age-matched normative populations and several pediatric chronic disease groups. RESULTS Significant decrements in the general health of children with chronic recurrent rhinosinusitis compared with a normative sample were observed for both child- and parent-reported data, particularly in the physical domains. Children with rhinosinusitis were perceived by their parents to have significantly more bodily pain (P<.001)and to be more limited in their physical activities (P<.05)than children with asthma, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and other chronic disorders. Parent-child perceptions did vary, with parents reporting more pain and general behavioral effects relative to their children's reports in these areas. CONCLUSION The health impact of chronic recurrent rhinosinusitis as reported by the subjective evaluations of pediatric patients and their parents is severe.