TY - JOUR
T1 - Clinical assessment of a nasal decongestion test by visual analog scale in allergic rhinitis
AU - Ciprandi, Giorgio
AU - Klersy, Catherine
AU - Ameli, Franco
AU - Cirillo, Ignazio
PY - 2008/9
Y1 - 2008/9
N2 - 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. That allergy is characterized by inflammation and that the response to the decongestion test correlates with the grade of inflammatory reaction has previously been shown. The aim of this study was to verify the suitability of the use of the visual analog scales (VASs) as a surrogate for rhinomanometry in the decongestion test assessment in patients with persistent allergic rhinitis. Methods: One hundred three patients (mean age, 23 years [2.24 SD]) were studied. Nasal symptoms, VAS, rhinomanometry, and nasal decongestion test were assessed in all patients. Results: A significant association was observed between VAS and nasal airflow after the decongestion test (Spearman R = -33.3%; p <0.001). Moreover, a significant inverse association between changes in decongestion measures was detected, with a Spearman R = -64.7% (p <0.001). The associated sensitivity was of 92.5%, and the specificity for this test was 60.0%. The corresponding area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.81. Conclusion: The use of VAS for assessing the decongestion test appears clinically relevant in that it allows, with a fair degree of reliability, such a test to be performed in the absence of rhinomanometry.
AB - 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. That allergy is characterized by inflammation and that the response to the decongestion test correlates with the grade of inflammatory reaction has previously been shown. The aim of this study was to verify the suitability of the use of the visual analog scales (VASs) as a surrogate for rhinomanometry in the decongestion test assessment in patients with persistent allergic rhinitis. Methods: One hundred three patients (mean age, 23 years [2.24 SD]) were studied. Nasal symptoms, VAS, rhinomanometry, and nasal decongestion test were assessed in all patients. Results: A significant association was observed between VAS and nasal airflow after the decongestion test (Spearman R = -33.3%; p <0.001). Moreover, a significant inverse association between changes in decongestion measures was detected, with a Spearman R = -64.7% (p <0.001). The associated sensitivity was of 92.5%, and the specificity for this test was 60.0%. The corresponding area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.81. Conclusion: The use of VAS for assessing the decongestion test appears clinically relevant in that it allows, with a fair degree of reliability, such a test to be performed in the absence of rhinomanometry.
KW - Allergy
KW - Decongestion test
KW - Inflammation
KW - Persistent rhinitis
KW - Rhinitis
KW - Rhinomanometry
KW - Visual analog scale
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=53549084328&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=53549084328&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.2500/ajr.2008.22.3214
DO - 10.2500/ajr.2008.22.3214
M3 - Article
C2 - 18954509
AN - SCOPUS:53549084328
VL - 22
SP - 502
EP - 505
JO - American Journal of Rhinology
JF - American Journal of Rhinology
SN - 1050-6586
IS - 5
ER -