clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01332136.

Background The Brief Smell Identification Test (BSIT) is an abbreviated version of the Smell Identification Test (SIT) used to assess olfactory function. Although the BSIT can be efficiently administered in under 5 minutes, the accuracy of the BSIT in relation to the SIT in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is unknown. Methods Patients with CRS were recruited as part of an ongoing multi-institutional observational cohort study. A total of 183 participants provided both BSIT and SIT olfactory function scores during initial enrollment. Linear associations between BSIT and SIT scores were evaluated using Pearson’s correlation coefficients (rp). Sensitivity and specificity of BSIT scores were determined using SIT scores as the ‘gold standard’. Results A strong bivariate linear association was found between BSIT and SIT scores (rp=0.893; p<0.001) for all participants. A significantly lower proportion of patients were identified as having abnormal olfaction using the BSIT compared to the SIT (47% vs. 68%, respectively; p<0.001). Using the currently defined score of ≤ 8 as a cut-point for abnormal olfactory function, the BSIT demonstrated a sensitivity of 63% and specificity of 88% with an overall accuracy of 71%. Increasing the cut-point to ≤ 9 resulted in an increased sensitivity of 86%, a specificity of 76%, and an improved overall accuracy of 83%. Conclusion In patients with CRS, BSIT scores strongly correlate with SIT scores; however, the BSIT underestimates olfactory dysfunction as defined by the suggested cut-point of ≤ 8. Increasing the cut-point to ≤ 9 increased the sensitivity and accuracy of the BSIT.

Background A health utility value represents an individual’s preference for living in a specific health state and is used in cost-utility analyses. This study investigates the impact of continuing medical therapy on health utility outcomes in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Methods The Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-6D (SF-6D) was administered to patients prospectively enrolled in a longitudinal study examining treatment outcomes for CRS. Patients were prescribed robust, initial medical therapy and then elected to continue with medical therapy (n=40) or undergo endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS), followed by medical therapy (n=152). Patients observed through treatment crossover to ESS were also evaluated (n=20). Health utility values (SF-6D) were generated at baseline, 6-months, and 12-months follow-up for both cohorts and evaluated using repeated measures ANOVA. Results Treatment crossover patients were found to have a significantly higher prevalence of previous sinus surgery compared to medical management (χ2=6.91; p=0.009) and surgical intervention (χ2=8.11; p=0.004) subgroups. Mean baseline utility value for the medical therapy cohort was significantly better compared to the ESS cohort (0.76[0.12] versus 0.70[0.15]; p=0.023). Significant improvement in health utility was reported in the ESS cohort (F(2)=37.69; p<0.001), while values remained stable, without significant improvement, in both the medical therapy cohort (F(2)=0.03; p=0.967) and treatment crossover cohort (F(2)=2.36; p=0.115). Conclusions Patients electing continued medical management report better baseline health utility compared to patients electing ESS. Patients electing ESS demonstrate significant improvement in health utility while those electing continued medical management demonstrate stable health utility over 12 months.

Obesity is associated with a profound impairment in the ability to perform the basic physical activities required for everyday function. This impacts on quality of life and contributes to disability. Bariatric surgery leads to weight loss and metabolic improvements in severe obesity; however, less is known about its effect on physical functioning. This narrative review summarizes current evidence on the effect of bariatric surgery on this outcome with a consideration of the mechanisms involved. Nine longitudinal observational studies reporting objective measures of physical functioning were identified. Inclusion criteria, follow-up time and outcomes reported varied considerably between studies and sample sizes were small. They all showed a significant improvement in performance following surgery despite variations in baseline patient characteristics. Additionally, six studies were found in which subjects were subjected to exercise testing protocols. Performance of the test protocol improved in all. Where reported, peak oxygen uptake related to body weight improved; however, absolute values were either unchanged or decreased. In conclusion, observational evidence suggests that patients' physical functioning improves following bariatric surgery. More evidence is required regarding mechanisms involved; however, it may be due to improved efficiency in performing activities as opposed to absolute improvements in cardiorespiratory or muscle function.