Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS)

Subjective patient reporting of three symptoms for the last week (nasal obstruction; itching/sneezing; secretion/runny nose) on a 0-3 scale:

  • 0 = no symptom
  • 1 = mild – awareness but not troubled
  • 2 = moderate – troublesome but not interfering with normal daily activities or sleep
  • 3 = severe – interfering with normal daily activities or sleep.

Tally all three responses

Minimum Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS) of 0 and maximum of 9. 

Downie SR, Andersson M, Rimmer J, et al. Symptoms of persistent allergic rhinitis during a full calendar year in house dust mite-sensitive subjects. Allergy. 2004;59(4):406-14.

Contributed by Alex Goel, MD