Several different scales are used to evaluate chronic signs of a sinus infection in the patients who have been administered medication and undergone a sinus surgery. The primary objective of the scales is to measure quality of life (QOL) of the patients. Some scales focus on subjective and general assessment whereas others on a specific disease.

The duration-based CSS analyzes signs of a sinus infection for eight (8) weeks and reviews consequent need for medication. The disease-specific survey incorporates clinical changes. The survey has been used to conduct research focused on how sinus surgery affects QOL of the patients suffering from chronic rhinosinusitis. However, it generates limited psychometric data. The limited output may not consider all the signs.

The CSS features six items that are divided into two categories: symptom and medication.

The disease-specific RSOM-31 consisted of thirty-one (31) questions, including some general health related questions, for complete evaluation of sinusitis related symptoms. RSOM-31 has been revised as SNOT20 comprising just twenty (20) items. Thus, evaluation can be completed easily and quickly. SNOT-20, a single scale measure, is being tested for its value and sensitivity.

The index analyzes self-perceived outcome of chronic signs of a sinus infection. The reliable index is in the first-person format. The disease-specific index tries to find relationship between the signs and daily life limitations. The tool consists of thirty (30) items that are divided into three subscales: functional, physical and emotional.

This is a comprehensive instrument for subjective evaluation of the patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. The tool consists of three (3) forms covering initial patient review, medical history and evaluation after the treatment. The instrument is available for public. The TyPE and CSS are simple methods and offer information about treatment efficacy.

The form not only evaluates general health status of the patient in response to a therapy, but also analyzes requirements for future surgical and medical processes. However, this method does not focus on a specific disease. SF-36, a health survey, features thirty-six (36) questions divided into eight (8) general health sections, including social functioning, vitality and bodily pain. An abridged version of SF containing twelve (12) questions is called SF-12 that has two (2) components: mental health and physical health. Both the forms are used extensively, because they are the benchmark in the field.