Nasal cycle can be easily assessed by means of PNIF. In fact, AAR and PNIF showed a reasonable correlation in the measurement of nasal cycle, although PNIF offered a lower variability. Reciprocal and in-phase patterns of the nasal cycle were equally distributed in our population.

Objectives: Nasal obstruction is the most common symptom in nasal diseases. It can be evaluated objectively, i.e. by means of peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) measures and/or subjectively by means of validated questionnaires. However, it has been reported that there is a lack of reliable correlation between subjective and objective measurements of nasal obstruction. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the correlation between PNIF measurements and the subjective sensation of nasal obstruction measured by means of a visual analogue scale (VAS) in a large population of consecutive rhinologic patients. Design: prospective clinical study.Setting: tertiary rhinological referral center.Participants-main outcome measures: 641 consecutive subjects were enrolled. VAS and PNIF were performed to assess nasal obstruction. Nasal septal deviation was classified according to Mladina classification and its severity was assessed using three levels of severity.

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Background: The etiology of age-related olfactory loss is still unclear, but it has been claimed that polypharmacotherapy may contribute to olfactory dysfunction, particularly in the elderly, who are more likely to need multiple drugs. The present pilot study investigated the relationship between smell and the number and type of drugs taken in a group of elderly. Methodology: 50 elderly volunteers (≥65 years old) who were healthy from the sinonasal standpoint (SNOT 22<1) and had no cognitive impairments [Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) > 18] were administered the Screening 12 test® and tested on their n-butanol olfactory threshold. Their olfactory performance was then connected with the number and type of drugs participants used. Results: The mean age of the included volunteers was 74±7 years. No association emerged between odor identification and number of drugs taken. The number of drugs taken correlated directly with a worse olfactory threshold and with a worse MMSE score, meaning a worse cognitive status. Odor identification significantly worsened with age. Comparing those volunteers taking only one drug known to not influence olfaction with another subgroup of volunteers taking five or more drugs, it was evident that subjects taking only one drug scored significantly better in olfactory threshold test and MMSE, and marginally better in olfactory identification test. For what concerns the difference between male and female volunteers, no difference in olfactory test result was shown, both for threshold and identification. Univariate analysis showed a direct correlation between the consumption of calcium channel blockers, ß-blockers, acetylsalicylic acid and olfactory threshold, meaning a worse sense of smell. Acetylsalicylic acid also correlated inversely with odor identification, meaning again a worse sense of smell, and so did potassium-sparing diuretics. Multivariate analysis showed that MMSE scores correlated with a better sense of smell, that is a lower olfactory threshold, and that α-blockers and acetylsalicylic acid negatively affected olfactory threshold, meaning a worse sense of smell. Acetylsalicylic acid also correlated inversely with odor identification, meaning again a worse sense of smell. Conclusions: The number of drugs taken demonstrated to be significantly correlated with a worse olfactory threshold and worse MMSE. Larger studies on elderly volunteers are needed to confirm these preliminary findings.

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