Increased Rate of Sexual Dysfunction by Increased Severity of Nasal Obstruction in Patients With Chronic Rhinosinusitis.

Abstract

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common chronic respiratory disorder. This study aimed to investigate the relation between nasal obstruction and sexual dysfunction in men with CRS. In this case-control study, 100 married men aged 19 to 48 years with CRS and 56 healthy married men were selected, consecutively. For assessment of nasal obstruction severity NOSE scale (Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation) was used and IIEF (International Index of Erectile Function) inventory was used to assess sexual function. Mean age of patients with CRS and controls was 33.25 ± 6.5 and 30.58 ± 7.12 years, respectively. Nasal obstruction was moderate in 70% of patients and 95% of patients had some degrees of erectile dysfunction. A significant association was found between nasal obstruction severity and sexual function and by increasing severity of nasal obstruction, sexual function decreased significantly in CRS patients. Sexual function in total (IIEF score) and in its domains, except for sexual desire, were significantly higher in control group (P < .05). There is significant inverse association between severity of nasal obstruction and sexual function. Sexual function decreases with increasing severity of nasal obstruction in CRS. CRS patients also have lower sexual function scores than healthy control males.