Maturitas · Oct 26, 2026

Association of sinonasal symptoms with health-related quality of life in peri- and postmenopausal women

By García-Alfaro P, Pérez-López FR, Solé GB et al.

OBJECTIVE: The menopausal transition is characterized by a progressive decline in estrogen levels. This can trigger physiological alterations in the sinonasal mucosa and potentially lead to the development of sinonasal symptoms affecting women's quality of life. Our study examines associations between scores on the Sinonasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT-22) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in peri- and postmenopausal women without chronic rhinosinusitis. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey, conducted via the REDCap database, was offered by email to women aged ≥40 years. A total of 901 women were eligible for participation. The survey instrument covered: i) age, menopause status, age at menopause, smoking status, diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis or prior nasal surgery, use of medications (for arterial hypertension, hypothyroidism, depression, insomnia, allergies or asthma), use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs specifically, and use of menopausal hormone therapy; ii) the SNOT-22, which was included to evaluate sinonasal symptoms; and iii) the Cervantes Short-Form scale (Cervantes SF), to assess HRQoL. RESULTS: The overall mean score on the SNOT-22 was 34.8 ± 18.7. There were significant differences in the SNOT-22 domains nasal (p = 0.003) and emotion (p = 0.008) between peri- and postmenopausal women. There were correlations between total SNOT-22 score and scores on the following Cervantes SF domains: 1, Menopause and health (r = 0.710; p < 0.001); 2, Psychological (r = 0.706; p < 0.001); 3, Sexuality (r = -0.091; p = 0.006); and 4, Couple relations (r = -0.129; p < 0.001). A higher SNOT-22 total score was independently associated with poorer HRQoL (β = 0.432; 95% CI = 0.399-0.465). CONCLUSIONS: Both peri- and postmenopausal women without chronic rhinosinusitis had high scores on the SNOT-22 scale. There were differences between peri- and postmenopausal women in the SNOT-22 nasal and emotion domains. There was an independent association between a higher SNOT-22 total score and a poor HRQoL.

doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2026.109177 PubMed 42945652 Populations