Presenting Symptomatology for Patients With Nasal Septal Perforation: Application of the NOSE‐Perf Scale

Objective To objectively identify and quantitate presenting nasal symptoms in patients with a septal perforation using the validated NOSE‐Perf scale. Study Design Case series retrospective review. Methods The medical records from August 2018 through January 2022 of patients at a tertiary care academic center with a septal perforation, and who completed the NOSE‐Perf questionnaire, were reviewed. Perforation symptoms were identified and quantified using the 12‐item NOSE‐Perf scale (score range 0–48). NOSE‐Perf findings were correlated to patient demographics, perforation etiology, and perforation length. NOSE‐Perf scores of patients who pursued treatment were compared with those who did not. Results NOSE‐Perf data were collected from 202 patients. Nasal crusting was noted in 94.1% of patients and was the most severe symptom reported (mean 2.9 of 4.0). Nasal congestion, difficulty breathing, and nasal obstruction followed in prevalence and severity. The mean total NOSE‐Perf score was 23.7. Linear regression analysis demonstrated a weakly negative association of NOSE‐Perf score with patient age and weakly positive association with increasing perforation length. NOSE‐Perf scores were significantly higher in women and in patients pursuing treatment. Conclusion This is the first study to use the validated NOSE‐Perf scale to objectively characterize and establish baseline septal perforation symptomatology. The NOSE‐Perf scale can play a role in the standardization of perforation evaluation and treatment outcomes assessment. Laryngoscope, 133:1315–1320, 2023 The NOSE‐Perf scale is a patient‐reported outcome measure specific to nasal septal patients. NOSE‐Perf data are presented for a large heterogenous group of patients.