Analysis of Nasal Airway Resistance in Normal Healthy Adult Population of Raipur in Chhattisgarh by Rhinomanometry

Abstract

A B S T R A C T BACKGROUNDNasal resistance plays an important role, in governing normal nasal breathing as well as in total airway resistance. Active anterior rhinomanometry procedure is reliable, easily reproducible technique to measure nasal airway resistance. When recommending measurement of nasal air flow resistance, the anterior active rhino manometry (AARM) is strongly considered as a satisfying candidate for a "gold standard" of assessment. However, few studies have published normal values of airway resistance in Asians. The aim of present study was to measure normal total nasal resistance (NR) values in normal adult population of Raipur city in Chhattisgarh state. METHODSAll participants were selected from healthy adult population of Chhattisgarh based on purposive sampling. Participants were selected from both sexes and the age was between 15 to 40 years. Among the 114 cases, 58 were males and 56 were females. All the cases where free from nasal complaints and also had no systemic diseases for the last six months. Active anterior rhinomanometry examination was done in upright position with closed mouth during spontaneous respiration. Trans-nasal airflow was recorded at 150 Pa pressure by Rhinomanometer. The measurement results were displayed in real time and after the test was completed, data was obtained in the form of printed graph. Calculation of total nasal airflow resistance (NAR) was calculated as per Ohms law. RESULTSThe mean values for the sum of the resistance of right and left nasal cavity was 0.23 Pa/cm 3 /S with maximum measurement was 0.35 Pa/cm 3 /S and Minimum 0.15 Pa/cm 3 /S was noted in 75.43% in present study population. Age and sex factor had a non-significant effect in the results (p values less than 0.01). CONCLUSIONSThis study reports normal range and mean value of total nasal airway resistance for the healthy adult population of Raipur city in Chhattisgarh state. Sex and age wise factors do not have a statistically significant effect on the total nasal airway resistance in healthy adult population.