title: Nasal decongestion test in allergic rhinitis: definition of responder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nasal airflow, as measured by rhinomanometry, is frequently impaired in allergic rhinitis (AR). The decongestion test evaluates whether the application of an intranasal vasoconstrictor drug increases nasal airflow.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to define the characteristics of decongestion test responders.
  
  
  METHODS
  123 subjects (112 males and 11 females, mean age 22.9+/-5.7 years) with AR were studied. Nasal eosinophils, rhinomanometry, and decongestion test were assessed in all subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The optimal cut-off for % variation of nasal airflow and nasal eosinophils >5 was = 34.4, with sensibility = 82.7% (95%CI 73.7-89.6) and specificity = 80% (95%CI 59.3-93.1).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The clinical relevance of this study is that non-responders may have a likely moderate-severe allergic inflammation that should be adequately evaluated and treated.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento Medicina Interna, Semeiotica Medica I- Padiglione 3, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino, Largo R. Benzi 10, 16132 Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ciprandi
authors.forename: Ignazio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cirillo
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Klersy
authors.forename: Anna Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Castellazzi
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barberi
authors.forename: Gian Luigi
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Marseglia
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014663:Nasal Decongestants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D014663:Nasal Decongestants