Evaluation of treatment response in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis using domiciliary nasal peak inspiratory flow

AbstractBackground:Predicting which chronic rhinosinusitis patients have nasal obstruction due to reversible mucosal inflammation could prevent unnecessary surgery.Aim:To investigate whether the change in nasal peak inspiratory flow following maximal decongestion (i.e. mucosal reversibility) at first visit predicts the response to topical steroids in chronic rhinosinusitis patients, as measured by the 22-item Sinonasal Outcome Test.Methods:Prospective study of 128 consecutive new adult patients presenting with nasal obstruction due to chronic rhinosinusitis (January 2008 to July 2010). The 22-item Sinonasal Outcome Test questionnaire was administered and the nasal peak inspiratory flow assessed. Following maximal nasal decongestion, the nasal peak inspiratory flow was again tested and the difference calculated. Topical steroids were administered for at least six weeks. The 22-item Sinonasal Outcome Test was then repeated and the difference calculated.Results:Data were analysed using means and correlation studies (Spearman's rank correlation). There was no correlation between the pre- versus post-decongestion nasal peak inspiratory flow difference and the pre- versus post-steroid 22-item Sinonasal Outcome Test difference, in chronic rhinosinusitis patients with or without nasal polyps.Conclusion:The difference between pre- and post-decongestion nasal peak inspiratory flow does not predict chronic rhinosinusitis patients' response to topical steroids.

Download Full-text

Comparing the effectiveness of nasal dilator strips: does race play a role?

The Journal of Laryngology & Otology ◽

10.1017/s0022215114002813 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 129 (S1) ◽

pp. S51-S56 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

A W Kam ◽

E Pratt ◽

R J Harvey

Keyword(s):

Analogue Scale ◽

Airway Resistance ◽

Inspiratory Flow ◽

Nasal Airway ◽

Sectional Area ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Peak Inspiratory Flow ◽

Nasal Airway Resistance ◽

Nasal Dilator Strips ◽

Nasal Peak Inspiratory Flow

AbstractBackground:Nasal dilator strips are thought to widen and stiffen the anterior nasal cavity, and thus improve symptoms of nasal obstruction. It is postulated that anthropomorphic differences in external nasal proportions between races may influence the effectiveness of such dilator strips.Methods:Caucasian and Asian subjects were compared. Nasal peak inspiratory flow, nasal airway resistance, minimum cross-sectional area and visual analogue scale measurements of nasal obstruction were recorded at baseline and following the application of two different dilator strips.Results:Nine Caucasian and six Asian subjects were recruited (n = 15). There was a significant difference between races in terms of nasal peak inspiratory flow improvements following nasal strip application (mean of 29.4 litres per minute in Caucasiansvs14.6 litres per minute in Asians;p = 0.04). Only Caucasians experienced a significant decrease in nasal airway resistance (median of 0.12 Pa/cm3/s;p < 0.01).Conclusion:Nasal peak inspiratory flow, minimum cross-sectional area and visual analogue scale values improved from baseline with strip application in both populations. Only Caucasians experienced significant nasal airway resistance improvement with strip application. Both cohorts experienced nasal peak inspiratory flow improvement, with Caucasians experiencing a significantly larger improvement.

Download Full-text