D3.367 - Mental health, sexual functionality, quality of life, and patient experiences with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps at UNIMEQ-ORL in Bogotá, Colombia, 2022-2024: a mixed-methods study

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a prevalent disease with multidimensional effects on patients' health. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to determine how levels of anxiety and depression, impairment in sexual functionality, quality of life, and life experiences are related to levels of nasal obstruction in adult patients with CRSwNP, treated at an otorhinolaryngology and allergology institution in Bogotá, Colombia, during 2022-2024.

a concurrent parallel mixed-methods study with a cross-sectional design was conducted. The quantitative component employed a comparative-descriptive approach, while the qualitative component adopted a phenomenological approach. In total, 32 patients agreed to participate in the study; 22 of them participated in a semi-structured interview. For the quantitative analyses, Stata18 MP and R 4.0.1 software were used. For the qualitative thematic analysis, Nvivo software was used.

Of the 32 participants, 47% presented mild levels of anxiety and 44% showed signs of depression. 59% reported difficulties in sexual functionality. Nasal obstruction was predominantly moderate (31%) and extreme (28%). Quality of life was moderately (53%) and severely (31%) affected. A high correlation was identified between nasal obstruction and quality of life. In addition, correlations were observed between mental health and quality of life. In the qualitative component, four main themes were identified: 1) the "journey to health," which describes the experience of the disease from the onset of symptoms to treatment; 2) "emotional and adaptive experiences," which explores the impact of the disease on mental health; 3) the "labyrinth of intimacy," which analyzes the effects on sexual life; and 4) "living with the disease," regarding quality of life and social support.

This mixed-methods study provides a comprehensive view of CRSwNP, highlighting its multidimensional impact on patients. The study underscores the importance of a comprehensive approach to CRSwNP that considers not only the physical aspects, but also the psychological, social, and sexual dimensions.