Factors Impacting Follow-Up Care in Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of this study was to analyze barriers to medical care and follow-up in patients with allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS).

STUDY DESIGN:

Cross-sectional questionnaire-based study with retrospective chart review.

SETTING:

Tertiary Medical Center.

METHODS:

Subjects with AFRS and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) were prospectively recruited for completion of the Barriers to Care Questionnaire (BCQ) and formal chart review.

RESULTS:

Fifty-nine AFRS and 51 CRSwNP patients participated. AFRS patients were more likely to be lost to follow-up within 6 months of surgery (35.6% vs 17.7%, P = 0.04) and no-show at least 1 appointment (20.3% vs 5.9%, P = 0.03) compared to CRSwNP patients. Men with AFRS were more likely to have only a single follow-up visit (37.0% vs 3.1%, P < 0.001) and be lost to follow-up (66.7% vs 9.4%, P < 0.001) than women. There were no significant differences in the BCQ between groups; however, rate of questionnaire completion was lower in the AFRS group than the CRS group (62.7% vs 80.4%, P = 0.042). AFRS patients who did not complete the BCQ were more likely to be male (63.6% vs 35.1%, P = 0.034), lost to follow-up (77.3% vs 10.8%, P < 0.0001), and have a single follow-up visit (40.9% vs 5.4%, P < 0.0001). Younger age was associated with increased likelihood of having a single follow-up visit (odds ratio 1.143, 95% CI 1.022-1.276).

CONCLUSION:

Young, male AFRS patients are more frequently lost to follow-up after surgery and less likely to complete questionnaires assessing barriers to care. Further investigation is needed to assess barriers to follow-up in these at-risk groups.

• Authors: Jorge A Gutierrez 3rd, Sofia Khan, Nikita Chapurin, Rodney J Schlosser, Zachary M Soler
• Journal: Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg) (Nov 05 2023) ISSN: 1097-6817 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 37925622 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2023 American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation.