The peak flow nasal patency index.
The peak flow nasal patency index (NPI) is the ratio between the nasal and oral peak airflow. This index was found to be a good indicator of nasal patency present in 24 patients following septoplasty and indicated significant improvement postoperatively. The peak flow nasal patency index was also correlated to self-assessment scores of nasal function in each patient. In this latter study, a low index correlated to a high self-assessment score, both of which indicated poor nasal patency. Our studies have shown that the peak flow nasal patency index is a useful measure for determining nasal patency, particularly for defining the results of any applied therapies.
Larsen
K
K
ENT-clinic, Esbjerg, Denmark.
Kristensen
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000601:surgery; D009666:Nose / Q000502:physiology*; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation