Received March 30, 2012 Revised May 2, 2012 Accepted May 8, 2012 Address for correspondence Nam-Kyung Yeo, MD, PhD Department of Otolaryngology, Gangneung Asan Hospital, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, 38 Bangdong-gil, Sacheon-myeon, Gangneung 210-711, Korea Tel +82-33-610-3308 Fax +82-33-641-8148 E-mail nkyeo@gnah.co.kr Background and ObjectivesZZChronic diseases of the nose and sinuses have been shown to influence patients, not only physically but also psychologically affecting the overall wellbeing. We evaluated the quality of life of rhinologic patients, and the effect of surgery on them. In addition, we assessed the correlation between the symptom scores and objective findings. Subjects and MethodZZFrom November 2009 to January 2011, a total of 194 patients haveing nasal and sinus surgery were enrolled. They were divided into nasal cavity disease (NCD) group (n=103) and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) group (n=91). These patients had to fill out a questionnaire at different points, at 1 day, 1 month, 3 and 6 months prior to surgery. The normal control group (n=30) also had to fill out four questionnaires: our questionnaires were Sinonasal Outcome Test-20 (SNOT-20), Rhinosinusitis Disability Index (RSDI), Version 2 of Short-Form 36 item Health Survey (SF-36v2), Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R). For the CRS group, Lund-Mackay score was calculated using CT scans. ResultsZZBoth experimental groups showed more severe scores than the control group. The CRS group exhibited more severe symptoms than the NCD group. Both experimental groups achieved significant improvements after surgery. CRS group showed more significant improvement than the NCD group in SNOT-20. The Lund-Mackay score showed no significant correlation with the subjective symptom scores. ConclusionZZChronic rhinologic diseases affect the quality of life. CRS patients show more severe scores than the NCD patients. CRS patients have more improved effectiveness than NCD patients after surgical treatment. Objective conditions and subjective symptoms may be correlated inconsistently, and the evaluation for the overall quality of life is important to reflect on the therapeutic effect. Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg 2012;55:355-63