Are you congested? A comparison of definitions between otolaryngologists and their patients

Objective: To assess for differences of intended meaning in the description of congestion-related symptoms among otolaryngology patients and clinicians. Materials and Methods: Between June 2020 and October 2022, a questionnaire consisting of 16 common descriptors of congestion-related symptoms within four domains (obstructive-related, pressure-related, mucus-related, and other symptoms) was completed by patients and otolaryngologists at five tertiary otolaryngology practices. The primary outcome was to assess differences in patient and clinician perceptions of congestion-related symptoms. Differences based on geographic location was a secondary outcome. Results: A total of 349 patients and 40 otolaryngologists participated. Patients selected a median of 6.8 (standard deviation [SD] 3.0) terms compared with 4.0 (SD 1.6) terms for otolaryngologists (p < 0.001). Otolaryngologists were more likely to select obstruction-related symptoms (difference 6.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.8%, 8.9%). Patients were more likely to describe congestion using pressure-related (−43.7%; −58.9%, −28.5%), mucus-related (−43.5%; −59.3%, −27.8%), and other symptoms (−44.2; −51.3%, −37.1%) compared with otolaryngologists. There were no significant differences identified based on geographic location with regard to symptom domains on multivariate analysis. Conclusions: There are differences between otolaryngologists and their patients in the interpretation of the symptoms of congestion. Clinicians tended to have a narrower interpretation of congestion that was limited to the obstruction-related symptom domain, while patients defined congestion more broadly. This has important counseling and communication implications for the clinician.