Quality of Life and Its Correlates in Iraqi Medical Students with Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Abstract

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) impairs the quality of life (QoL), but its impact and risk factors remain unknown among Iraqis, including medical students. We aim to assess the QoL using the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT-22) in CRS-affected Iraqi medical students, categorize impairment severity, and identify associated correlates via multivariable analysis. Methods: We surveyed 435 Iraqi undergraduates with CRS to identify QoL correlates, SNOT-22 severity strata, associated symptoms, seasonality, and treatment history. Data analysis, including multivariable models, was conducted in IBM SPSS version 27. Results: Among 435 surveyed individuals, 76.6% had impaired QoL. Binary logistic regression identified key correlates: immune disturbances (OR = 2.68; p = 0.028), family history (OR = 2.12; p = 0.003), chronic comorbidities (OR = 2.07; p = 0.037), and pre-clinical (basic) educational level (OR = 1.95; p = 0.007). In sex-stratified models, chronic comorbidities predominated in females (OR = 4.64; p < 0.001) and immune disturbances in males (OR = 3.89; p = 0.014). Ordinal regression confirmed immune disturbances (β = 0.65; p = 0.017), chronic comorbidities (β = 0.58; p = 0.023), and family history (β = 0.57; p = 0.003). Logistic and ordinal regression exhibited good model fitting (p > 0.05) and showed comparable statistical accuracy (76.8% vs. 76.1%). Conclusions: Impaired QoL was common among CRS-affected medical students, with immune disturbances and family history as the strongest correlates. Sex-specific differences existed. Findings highlight the need for personalized management of high-risk groups.

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