The evaluation of nasal mucociliary clearance in patients with Helicobacter pylori infection
AbstractObjectiveThis study aimed to examine nasal mucociliary clearance time in patients with Helicobacter pylori infection.MethodsFifty patients who were newly diagnosed with H pylori infection using gastric biopsy in the gastroenterology out-patient clinic, and 50 age- and gender-matched healthy adults who were admitted to the otorhinolaryngology out-patient clinic, were included in this study. After an otorhinolaryngological examination (anterior rhinoscopy and nasal endoscopic examination), the nasal mucociliary clearance time of each subject was calculated using the saccharine test.ResultsThe mean mucociliary clearance time was 06:29 ± 3:31 minutes (range, 00:55–15:19 minutes) in the control group and 10:12 ± 06:09 minutes (range, 01:28–32:00 minutes) in the study group. Comparisons of the two groups revealed a statistically significant difference (p = 0.002).ConclusionNasal mucociliary clearance time was significantly increased in patients with H pylori infection. The results suggest that H pylori infection may have an unfavourable effect on nasal mucociliary clearance.