An Exploratory Analysis of the Correlation Between Erythema Size and Total Nasal Symptom Scores in the Environmental Exposure Unit

Abstract

RATIONALE: Nasal obstruction is a major troublesome symptom in children with allergic rhinitis (AR). The severity nasal obstruction can be subjectively assessed by symptom score. Objective assessment involves measurement of peak nasal airflow (PNIF) and total nasal resistance. This study was to determine the correlation of total nasal symptom score (TNSS), PNIF, and total nasal resistance in children with AR METHODS: Forty four children with dust mite sensitized AR, age 7-18 years old were challenged with Der p. TNSS including nasal congestion, nasal itching, sneezing, and rhinorrhea were assessed at baseline. PNIF and total nasal resistance measured by rhinomanometry were recorded at baseline and after dust mite nasal provocation test. RESULTS: A total of 40 children with positive NPT were enrolled. The mean aged was 12.2 6 2.4 years (62.5% were male). Mean of baseline TNSS was 2.28 (61.36 SD). Median (range) TNSS at baseline was 2.23 (1.06-3.11) points out of maximum of 12 points. Baseline PNIF was significantly correlated with TNSS (r5-0.466, p50.002), nasal congestion (r5-0.541, p5<0.001), rhinorrhea (r5-0.453, p50.003), baseline total nasal resistance (r5-0.483, p50.002), and total nasal resistances after positive NPT (r5-0.361, p50.022). Baseline symptom score of rhinorrhea was significantly correlated with total nasal resistance (r50.358, p50.023), but there were no correlation of other symptom score or TNSS and total nasal resistance. CONCLUSIONS: PNIF correlates with TNSS better than total nasal resistance assessed by rhinomanometry. PNIF may be an easy and useful tool to evaluate nasal obstruction in children with AR.