Pale nasal mucosa affects airflow limitations in upper and lower airways in asthmatic children
10.5415/apallergy.2016.6.4.220
- Author:
Chikako MOTOMURA
1
;
Hiroshi ODAJIMA
;
Atsunobu YAMADA
;
Naohiko TABA
;
Yoko MURAKAMI
;
Sankei NISHIMA
Author Information
1. Department of Pediatrics, Fukuoka National Hospital, Fukuoka 811-1394, Japan. cmotomura@mfukuoka2.hosp.go.jp
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Rhinitis, allergic;
Asthma;
Eosinophils;
Airflow limitation;
Nasal obstruction
- MeSH:
Adrenal Cortex Hormones;
Asthma;
Child;
Eosinophils;
Forced Expiratory Volume;
Humans;
Mucous Membrane;
Nasal Mucosa;
Nasal Obstruction;
Rhinitis;
Rhinitis, Allergic;
Rhinomanometry;
Spirometry;
Vital Capacity
- From:
Asia Pacific Allergy
2016;6(4):220-225
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Severe asthmatics are thought to have severer rhinitis than mild asthmatics. A pale nasal mucosa is a typical clinical finding in subjects with severe allergic rhinitis. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether a pale nasal mucosa affects airflow limitations in the upper and lower airways in asthmatic children. METHODS: Rhinomanometry, nasal scraping, and spirometry were performed in 54 asthmatic children (median age, 10 years). The nasal mucosa was evaluated by an otolaryngologist. Thirty-seven patients were treated with inhaled corticosteroids, and 11 patients were treated with intranasal corticosteroids. RESULTS: Subjects with a pale nasal mucosa (n = 23) exhibited a lower nasal airflow (p < 0.05) and a larger number of nasal eosinophils (p < 0.05) in the upper airway as well as lower pulmonary functional parameters (p < 0.05 for all comparisons), i.e., the forced vital capacity (FVC), the forced expiratory volume in 1 second, and the peak expiratory flow, compared with the subjects who exhibited a normal or pinkish mucosa (n = 31). No significant difference in the forced expiratory flow between 25%–75% of the FVC, regarded as indicating the peripheral airway, was observed between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: A pale nasal mucosa may be a predictor of eosinophil infiltration of the nasal mucosa and central airway limitations in asthmatic children. When allergists observe a pale nasal mucosa in asthmatic children, they should consider the possibility of airflow limitations in not only the upper airway, but also the lower airway.
