Can Sinus Surgery Help Improve Depression & Anxiety? What the Research Says

For those living with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), the constant inflammation, pressure, and fatigue often extend into emotional health, leading to increased symptoms of depression and anxiety. The daily burden of feeling unwell can affect sleep, energy, focus, and overall quality of life.

A new 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis published in the International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology offers some of the strongest data to date on this connection. Researchers analyzed 11 high-quality studies involving more than 3,000 patients with CRS to determine whether sinus surgery can improve mental health outcomes.

Here’s what the study and ENT experts want you to know.

At a Glance

• CRS increases the risk of depression and anxiety
• Sinus surgery improves depression symptoms by about 47%
• Anxiety often improves after surgery, though results vary
• Quality of life consistently improves, including sleep and focus
• CRS treatment at ExcelENT can boost both sinus and emotional health

The Link Between Chronic Sinus Problems and Mental Health

Patients with chronic rhinosinusitis often experience far more than clogged nasal passages. CRS has been linked to:

• Sleep disruption
• Persistent fatigue
• Reduced ability to smell and taste
• Cognitive difficulties (“brain fog”)
• Chronic pain and pressure
• Social limitations

All of these symptoms can take a significant toll. In fact, previous research shows that people with CRS have more than a 1.5-fold increased risk of developing depression compared to those without sinus disease. 

Part of this connection may be explained by chronic inflammation, since the elevated inflammatory markers seen in CRS are the same ones often linked to mood disorders.

What the New Research Found

1. Sinus Surgery Significantly Improves Depression Scores

Across the pooled data, patients showed a 47% improvement in depression symptoms after endoscopic sinus surgery. And no matter which tool researchers used to measure depression, like PHQ-2, PHQ-9, the Zung Depression Scale, or HADS, patients showed real improvement after surgery.

2. Anxiety Symptoms Also Improve (Though Results Vary)

Many studies found that patients felt less anxious after sinus surgery. However, when researchers combined all the study results in the meta-analysis, the overall improvement wasn’t strong enough to be considered statistically significant. This could be because the studies were very different from one another, some had smaller groups of patients, and each used different tools to measure anxiety.

Even so, many of the individual studies still showed meaningful drops in anxiety symptoms after surgery, suggesting that some patients do experience emotional benefits.

3. Quality of Life Improves Across the Board

Beyond mood symptoms, patients consistently reported better overall well-being, including:

• Improved sleep
• Better cognitive function
• Fewer physical symptoms
• Greater ability to participate in daily activities

Scores on common sinus-related quality-of-life measures, such as SNOT-22, RSDI, and EQ-5D, all improved significantly after surgery. Many of these tools include emotional and psychological components that track anxiety and depression-adjacent symptoms.

Why Treating CRS May Improve Mental Health

Researchers believe there are several reasons why treating chronic sinus inflammation, including through sinus surgery, can help improve emotional well-being.

1. Reduced Inflammation

CRS is a chronic inflammatory condition, and inflammation is known to influence mood, energy levels, and cognitive clarity.

2. Better Sleep

Sinus obstruction and postnasal drip are common sleep disruptors. Improving airflow can dramatically improve sleep quality, which has direct effects on mental health.

3. Relief from Chronic Symptoms

Less pain, pressure, congestion, and fatigue often translate to increased energy and improved emotional resilience.

4. Improved Sensory Function

Restoring the ability to smell and taste positively impacts quality of life and even social engagement.

Is Sinus Surgery Worth It?

For many people with chronic rhinosinusitis, sinus surgery can be a worthwhile option when other treatments just aren’t enough. Many patients begin their journey by learning how to treat chronic rhinosinusitis, starting with medications, allergy management, and in-office procedures. 

These options help many people feel better, so they are always the first steps. But if symptoms continue to disrupt your daily life, surgery may offer long-term relief that other treatments cannot provide.

How Do You Know If You Need Sinus Surgery

Many people also wonder how to know if sinus surgery is right for them. These signs often help guide that decision:

• Symptoms have lasted 12 weeks or longer
• Medical therapy hasn’t provided sufficient relief
• CT scans show blocked sinus pathways
• You experience repeated sinus infections
• You have nasal polyps or a structural blockage

For patients who meet these criteria, sinus surgery can significantly reduce symptoms, improve breathing, and enhance overall quality of life.

What This Research Means for Patients

This growing body of research reinforces something ENT specialists have observed for years: when your chronic sinus inflammation is treated, your overall health, including your mental well-being, can improve significantly.

While sinus surgery is not a direct treatment for depression or anxiety, relieving the daily physical and inflammatory burden of CRS can meaningfully support emotional health and quality of life.

Struggling with Chronic Sinus Symptoms? ExcelENT Is Here to Help

When symptoms start disrupting your sleep, energy, focus, and emotional well-being, it’s time to get support from a team that understands the full impact of CRS. That’s where ExcelENT of Alabama comes in.

Dr. Christopher Davis and his team provide comprehensive care for chronic rhinosinusitis, offering advanced medical treatments, minimally invasive procedures, and endoscopic sinus surgery when needed. If you’re ready to feel better and regain your quality of life, reach out to us to schedule an appointment in Birmingham, AL, today.