Objective nasal airflow measures in relation to subjective nasal obstruction, trigeminal function, and olfaction in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine how nasal airflow measures and trigeminal function vary among patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) versus healthy controls and whether these measures are correlated with subjective nasal obstruction (SNO), olfactory function, and CRS control. METHODOLOGY: Participants included CRS patients and healthy controls. After a structured medical history, nasal airflow (peak nasal inspiratory flow [PNIF]; active anterior rhinomanometry [AAR]), trigeminal function (trigeminal lateralization test, CO2 sensitivity), and olfactory "Sniffin's Sticks" odor identification test) tests were performed. SNO ratings were also obtained. RESULTS: Sixty-nine participants were included (37 men, 32 women, mean age 51 years). There was no significant difference for objective nasal airflow between patients and controls, but CRS patients had worse SNO, trigeminal function, and olfaction compared to controls. SNO, but not objective nasal airflow tests, was negatively correlated with CO2 sensitivity and odor identification. CONCLUSION: The perception of nasal obstruction does not only depend on nasal airflow, but may also be modulated by trigeminal function and other factors. Thus, the role of objective nasal airflow measures as a sole method of functional nasal obstruction assessment in CRS remains limited.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)394-402
Number of pages9
JournalRhinology
Volume62
Issue number4
Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 2024
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 38507726
Scopus 85200622854
ORCID /0000-0001-6711-7359/work/166322396
ORCID /0000-0003-1311-8000/work/166325647
ORCID /0000-0001-9713-0183/work/166326409

Keywords

Keywords

  • Nasal obstruction, Nasal polyps, Rhinomanometry, Sinusitis, Trigeminal nerve