A Methodological Study On Assessing Nasal Resistance For Clinical Purpose And Evaluation Of Nasal Resistance In Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Part Ⅰ A methodological study on assessing nasal resistancefor clinical purposeObjective:This study is aimed to explore the method of assessing nasal resistance and understand the range of nasal resistance in healthy young adults.Methods:Nasal resistance was measured by rhinomanometry employing the active anterior method in 29 healthy young adults.The measurement repeated for 3 times with a 20-minute interval.The inspiratory and expiratory resistance of the left and the right nasal cavity were recorded.The total inspiratory and expiratory resistance of nasal cavity were calculated according to the formula.Results:There was no significant difference in the results of the three measurements of nasal resistance.The results of the first measurement showed no significant difference in comparison with the average value of the previous two or three measurements.We selected the results of the first measurement as a reference and found that there was no difference between both nasal cavities and also between genders.We calculated the average value of nasal resistance and the reference range of 95%in nasal resistance at 75,100 and 150Pa.Conclusion:The first measurement for nasal resistance could reflect the preliminary situation of nasal ventilation.The level of nasal resistance in healthy young adults provides a reference range for clinical evaluation.Part Ⅱ Evaluation of nasal resistance in patients withobstructive sleep apnea syndromeObjective:This study is aimed to explore the nasal resistance in population with OSAS,and understand the proportion of those who has abnormal results,so as to provide reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods:Nasal resistance was measured by rhinomanometry employing the active anterior method in 75 patients with OSAS continuously.The bilateral inspiratory and expiratory resistance,and total resistance were recorded.And then the measurements were repeated again,after 10 minutes of nasal spray of oxymetazoline.The results were analyzed according the reference of previous data based upon healthy young volunteers.Results:There were about 12.0%(9/75)of patients with OSAS showed abnormal results in nasal resistance,8 of which were unilateral.After administration of oxymetazoline,nasal resistance returned to normal in 7 of 9 patients,which suggested a mucosal problem.Another 2 patients kept unchanged in nasal resistance,which implied abnormal nasal bone structure.Conclusion:There were 12.0%of population with OSAS presented problems in nasal resistance,although without clear complain of nasal obstruction.Oxymetazoline could be helpful in differentiation.Treating these abnormal nasal function should be a part of the combined treatment for OSAS.