title: V.A.S. in the follow-up of turbinectomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nasal airflow resistance, as measured by rhinomanometry, is frequently impaired in allergic rhinitis (AR). However, rhinomanometry is not widely available. Visual analogue scales (VAS) have been proposed to assess symptom severity in AR.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To verify the suitability of the use of the VAS as a surrogate for rhinomanometry in patients with persistent allergic rhinitis and treated with turbinectomy in quantifying nasal obstruction during the follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty patients (27 males, mean age 23 years, SD 2.24) were studied. VAS for nasal obstruction and rhinomanometry were performed in all patients before turbinectomy and after 6 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant correlation was observed between VAS for nasal obstruction and nasal airflow resistance (Spearman r = 0.879, p < 0.001) at baseline. Moreover, a significant direct relationship between these two variables was observed (r = 0.567, p < 0.001) also at the follow-up after surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of VAS for assessing the nasal obstruction appears as clinically relevant, in that it allows with good reliability to quantify this symptom in the absence of rhinomanometry in the follow-up of patients treated with turbinectomy.
authors: ENT Clinic, Genoa University, Genoa, Italy.
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Mora
authors: Michele
authors: M
authors: Cassano
authors: Renzo
authors: R
authors: Mora
authors: Anna Maria
authors: AM
authors: Gallina
authors: Giorgio
authors: G
authors: Ciprandi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000601:surgery; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000601:surgery*; D025363:Rhinomanometry; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014420:Turbinates / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult