Nasal congestion index: A measure for nasal obstruction.
OBJECTIVE
The relationship between congestion of the nasal mucosa and subjective nasal obstruction remains poorly defined. Applying the novel Nasal Congestion Index (NCI), we compared subjective nasal obstruction with objective measures for reversible congestion of the nasal mucosa.


METHODS
A total of 2,523 consecutive patients were included in this cross-sectional study. Eligible subjects were adults referred to the ENT department, Sørlandet Hospital, Kristiansand, Norway, for evaluation of chronic nasal or sleep-related complaints.


METHODS
Subjects underwent acoustic rhinometry (AR) and peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) at baseline and after decongestion of the nasal mucosa. Based on these registrations, an NCI was calculated for minimal cross-sectional area (MCA), nasal cavity volume (NCV), and PNIF, and employed for quantification of reversible mucosal congestion. Subjective nasal obstruction was measured by nasal obstruction visual analogue scales (NO-VAS). Statistical analyses were based on ANOVA and multiple linear and logistic regression, adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, asthma, allergy, smoking history, and type of planned intervention.


RESULTS
Crude estimates indicated that the NCIs were significantly higher in subjects with severe complaints of nasal obstruction compared with subjects with lesser symptoms (P < .001). These associations were confirmed by linear and logistic regression analyses. NCI for MCA, NCV, and PNIF showed highly significant associations with subjective nasal obstruction (P < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
We have clearly demonstrated an association between subjective nasal obstruction and reversible congestion of the nasal mucosa by employing the NCI. The measure has proven to be useful for evaluating patients with complaints of nasal obstruction.
Kjaergaard
Thomas
T
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway. kjaergaard.t@gmail.com
Cvancarova
Milada
M
Steinsvåg
Sverre K
SK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014663:Nasal Decongestants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D009299:Nasal Provocation Tests; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000601:surgery; D011336:Probability; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D023842:Rhinometry, Acoustic; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D014663:Nasal Decongestants