title: Evaluation of threshold criteria for the nasal histamine challenge test in perennial allergic rhinitis.
abstract: Nasal reactivity to histamine was determined in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis and in control subjects. A histamine titration method delivered by a metered dose pump was used. Stuffiness, itching, and the number of sneezes were recorded, nasal secretions measured, and nasal airway resistance was recorded by active anterior rhinomanometry. Increased nasal reactivity to histamine was observed among rhinitic patients and inversely correlated with the severity of nasal symptoms. A 3-fold increase of post-saline nasal airway resistance (NAR) best differentiated the nasal responses to histamine in rhinitic patients from those in control subjects. A histamine dose of < or = 2.5 microg provoked a 3-fold increase in NAR, strongly suggesting moderate or severe symptomatic rhinitis in most cases. Nasal provocation techniques might be a useful tool for objectively assessing disease severity and response to treatment in perennial allergic rhinitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Chiang Mai University Faculty of Medicine, Thailand.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kanthawatana
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Maturim
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fooanant
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Manorot
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trakultivakorn
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006632:Histamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis; D009299:Nasal Provocation Tests / Q000379:methods*; D011537:Pruritus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012912:Sneezing / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D006632:Histamine