Correlation Between the Peak Nasal Inspiratory Flow and the Visual Analogue Scale Before and After Using a Nasal Decongestant

Abstract

Summary Introduction: The measurement of the peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) is easily and swiftly obtained, but hardly spread in Brazil though. On the other hand, the visual analogue scale (VAS) for nasal obstruction is a subjective measurement that can also be used. Objective: To evaluate the correlation between PNIF and VAS for nasal obstruction before and after occurring a change in the nasal patency caused by the topic vasoconstriction. Study outline: Non-randomized clinical and experimental study. Method: 60 volunteers, including patients, doctors, nurses and administrative assistants of the institution were submitted to PNIF and VAS examinations before and after the nasal vasoconstriction with oxymetazoline chloride at 0.05%. Results: The average value found for pre-vasoconstriction VAS was 4.1 and, for post-vasoconstriction, it was 2. This represented a 44% range between the measurements. With regard to PNIF values, the average found when measuring the vasoconstriction was 151 l/min and 178 l/min after vasoconstriction, showing a 20% increase. At the pre-vasoconstrictor moment, increasing a point in average VAS value corresponds to a 3.8% decrease in average PNIF value. In the post-vasoconstriction, each increase of a point in average VAS value corresponds to a 4.5% decrease in average PNIF value. Conclusion: There was an important correlation between the objective measurement of the nasal obstruction through PNIF and the subjective measurement provided by VAS before nasal vasoconstriction. A similar correlation could also be observed after using the decongestant.

Comparação entre métodos subjetivos e objetivo para avaliação de pacientes submetidos a cirurgias funcionais nasais

“…No entanto, Marais et al 27 mostraram melhora no Peak Flow após septoplastia, e Cook et al 28 revelaram melhora após tratamento com laser da rinite alérgica. Teixeira et al 11 demonstraram correlação importante entre a medida objetiva da obstrução nasal através do Peak Flow com a mensuração subjetiva proporcionada pela EVA antes e após a vasoconstrição nasal em 60 indivíduos. Resultados semelhantes foram encontrados por Fairley et al, 29 Priftis et al 16 e Wilson et al 30 Todos os pacientes que foram submetidos à septoplastia e turbinectomia neste trabalho apresentavam agravo na sua qualidade de vida, que foi constatado em todas as avaliações realizadas nos pré-operatórios.…”

“…Também pode ser induzida por medicamentos tópicos e outras drogas ingeridas ou injetadas, além de alterações endócrinas e metabólicas. 4,[11][12][13][14][15] Na obstrução nasal é encontrada deficiência no aquecimento e umidificação do ar inspirado e na própria função filtrante nasal. 9 Além disso, o padrão respiratório é alterado, levando à respiração oral, que está relacionada diretamente a alterações do crescimento facial, fala, distúrbios alimentares, alterações posturais, dificuldades escolares e sociais e doenças do sono, comprometendo consideravelmente a qualidade de vida.…”

“…Várias são as análises subjetivas que se baseiam na avaliação do paciente. Dentre elas a Escala Visual Analógica (EVA), 11,16 o Nasal Index Score (NIS) 21 e o Nasal Obstruction Syndrome Evaluation (NOSE scale). 22 O objetivo deste trabalho é comparar métodos subjetivos (escala visual EVA, NIS e NOSE Scale) com um método objetivo (Peak Flow), na avaliação da obstrução nasal de pacientes submetidos a cirurgias funcionais nasais, no pré-operatório e pós-operatórios precoce e tardio.…”

Cost‐effectiveness analysis of epidural morphine/ropivacaine treatment in patients with cancer pain

“…The VAS is one of the most used measures in pain intensity research 17,18 and, despite major technological advances, it is still the best parameter for assessing pain intensity 6 . It is a linear and multidimensional scale that allows the simple and efficient measurement of pain intensity, as it represents a quick index, in which the patient can indicate a numerical value between 0 and 10—where zero indicates absence of pain and 10 indicates presence of intense pain, enabling quantitative analysis of the data 19 …”

“…6 It is a linear and multidimensional scale that allows the simple and efficient measurement of pain intensity, as it represents a quick index, in which the patient can indicate a numerical value between 0 and 10-where zero indicates absence of pain and 10 indicates presence of intense pain, enabling quantitative analysis of the data. 19 A study suggested that a 33% decrease in pain represents a reasonable standard for determining that a change in pain is significant from a patient's perspective. 17 Also, according to the PCDT for chronic pain, a successful treatment for pain relief will be considered as one that reduces at least 50% of the pain score on the VAS.…”