Unilateral peak nasal inspiratory flow, normal values in adult population

Abstract

Flow (PNIF) is a cheap, simple, easily performed method to assess nasal patency and it is suitable for serial measurements and for home use. The purpose of this study was to establish normative unilateral PNIF data for a healthy adult population and provide charts relating unilateral PNIF normal values with various explanatory variables. Methods and results: Repeated measurements of PNIF and unilateral PNIF were performed in 109 volunteers. Ninety seven of these fulfilled the study criteria and all of them were non-smokers, non-asthmatic, without nose and paranasal sinus problems, with ages ranging from 13 to 80 years. Data were statistically analysed and tables were produced relating unilateral PNIF to height which was the only studied variable that correlated statistically with unilateral PNIF. Conclusions: The measurement of unilateral PNIF, providing the present data are confirmed in a larger series, could be a useful method to study single nostril patency to aid diagnosis of nasal disease, especially when it is necessary to assess the functional effects of unilateral nasal septal deviations or in all cases where there is a suspicion of a unilateral nasal occlusion. This pilot study provides initial normative unilateral PNIF data.

North African reference equation for peak nasal inspiratory flow

“…Figures 2 and 3 show respectively the scatter plot and Bland-Altman comparison for measured versus predicted PNIF values as determined from the previously published Italian reference equation. 8 We found no significant difference between our measured PNIF values and those predicted from the previously published reference equation (mean difference ± SD = −7 ± 47 l/min; p = 0.18) (Figure 3). However, comparisons of the two male subpopulations and the two female subpopulations identified wide limits of agreement and systematic errors for both males and females, as shown by the wide disparity from the identity line seen in Figure 2.…”

“…1 Interpretation of PNIF data relies upon comparison of measured values with predicted values available from published reference equations or normal value tables. However, to our knowledge, reference equations or normal values have only been established in two populations: Italian subjects aged 16-84 years (PNIF reference equation, Ottaviano et al), 8 and Greek children aged five to 18 years (normal PNIF values, Papachristou et al). 9 However, neither of these studies provided prospective verification for their study populations, nor proposed a method of interpreting the measured PNIF (e.g.…”

“…18 The applicability and reliability of published PNIF reference equations and normal values 8,9 should be assessed as regards North African subjects, in order to avoid erroneous clinical interpretation of PNIF data in this population.…”

“…The present study aimed: (1) to test the applicability and reliability of the previously published PNIF reference equation 8 and normal values 9 in North African subjects aged 13-27 years; and (2) if needed, to establish a PNIF reference equation in this population, and to prospectively assess its reliability.…”

The physiological impact of high altitude on nasal and lower airway parameters

“…PNIF is an inexpensive, simple, and easily performed measurement of the extent of nasal airway patency and is used to assess the degree of nasal obstruction. It can be measured using a Youlten Peak flow meter, which is a relatively inexpensive portable device that is easy to use and readily available in daily clinical practice [11,12,15]. Our results showed a mean decrease in PNIF of 27.43%, consistent with an increase in upper airway resistance, and with the symptomatic nasal blockage and olfactory impairment that commonly occur at HA.…”