Forced expiration through the nose is a stimulus for NANIPER but not for controls.
OBJECTIVE
Is forced expiration through the nose a mechanical stimulus to which patients with nasal hyperreactivity react? Do parameters, such as peak nasal expiratory flow rate (PNEF), influence nasal airway resistance (NAR) in these patients?


METHODS
NAR, mucus production and sneezing were measured on 2 occasions two weeks apart. Measurements were conducted before and during a period of 10 minutes after 3 repeated PNEFs in 15 non-allergic non-infectious perennial rhinitis (NANIPER) patients suffering from nasal hyperreactivity, and in 15 controls.


RESULTS
In NANIPER versus controls PNEF measurements attributed to a statistically significant increase in NAR. The main effect was within the first minute after stimulus, suggesting a neuronal mechanism. Mucus secretions and sneezing were hardly present. PNEF (highest of 3) and bronchial peak expiratory flow rate (BpEFR) are lower in NANIPER than controls but are correlated. Impaired bronchial capacity is likely to influence PNEF, resulting in a lower decrease of nasal patency.


CONCLUSIONS
PNEF depends on BpEFR and is an adequate mechanical stimulus for NANIPER patients, but not for non-rhinitic controls, resulting in a brief increase in NAR.
Braat
J P
JP
Department of Ear-, Nose- and Throat Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. boon@kno.fgg.eur.nl
Fokkens
W J
WJ
Mulder
P G
PG
Kianmaneshrad
N
N
Rijntjes
E
E
Gerth van Wijk
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000403:Airway Resistance; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000502:physiology; D009299:Nasal Provocation Tests; D011336:Probability; D011659:Pulmonary Gas Exchange; D012016:Reference Values; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000502:physiology*; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric