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Background: Nasal septoplasty is a common surgical procedure, but a significant number of patients report equal, or some even worsened, symptom load postoperatively. Rhinologists struggle to find objective tests that adequately reflects disease burden. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between the PNIF measurement of the most obstructed side with patient reported outcomes., Methods: Bilateral and unilateral PNIF measurements were performed before and after topical decongestion in 528 patients scheduled for surgery due to nasal obstruction. Subjective outcomes were measured using Nasal Obstruction VAS and SNOT-22 with subdomains. Correlations between subjective and objective measurements were calculated and further explored using multivariate regression analyses., Results: Significant negative correlations between PNIF and patient reported outcomes were found. Both bilateral and minimal unilateral PNIF correlations with NO-VAS were equal and stronger than correlations with SNOT-22 including subdomains concerning problems with nasal obstruction. Minimal unilateral PNIF did not show statistically significant gender difference. Topical decongestion decreased statistical correlations., Conclusions: The minimal unilateral PNIF shows a statistically significant but weak negative correlation with preoperative patient reported nasal obstruction, and values do not differ between genders. Clinical evaluation of patients presenting complaints of nasal obstruction could be supported by minimal unilateral PNIF.

Mobile health technology is emerging to take a prominent position in the management of chronic diseases. These technologies aim at enhancing patient empowerment via education and self-management. To date, of all the different apps available for patients with sinus disease, none were developed by medical experts dealing with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). The European Forum for Research and Education in Allergy and Airway diseases (EUFOREA) has undertaken a multi-stakeholder approach for designing, developing and implementing a tool to support CRS patients in monitoring their symptoms and to provide patients with a digital support platform containing reliable medical information about their disease and treatment options. mySinusitisCoach has been developed by medical experts dealing with CRS in close collaboration with patients, primary care physicians and community pharmacists, meeting the needs of both patients and health care providers. From a research perspective, the generation of real life data will help to validate clinical studies, patient stratification and improve understanding of the socio-economic impact of CRS, thereby paving the way for better treatment strategies.

The first European Rhinology Research Forum organized by the European Forum for Research and Education in Allergy and Airway Diseases (EUFOREA) was held in the Royal Academy of Medicine in Brussels on 17th and 18th November 2016, in collaboration with the European Rhinologic Society (ERS) and the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA2LEN). One hundred and thirty participants (medical doctors from different specialties, researchers, as well as patients and industry representatives) from 27 countries took part in the multiple perspective discussions including brainstorming sessions on care pathways and research needs in rhinitis and rhinosinusitis. The debates started with an overview of the current state of the art, including weaknesses and strengths of the current practices, followed by the identification of essential research needs, thoroughly integrated in the context of Precision Medicine (PM), with personalized care, prediction of success of treatment, participation of the patient and prevention of disease as key principles for improving current clinical practices. This report provides a concise summary of the outcomes of the brainstorming sessions of the European Rhinology Research Forum 2016.