Rhinomanometry in young patients with perennial allergic rhinitis with/without recent exposure to tobacco smoke.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the influence of environmental exposure to tobacco smoke on the nasal symptoms and nasal resistance of young patients with perennial allergic rhinitis.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Tertiary referral centre.

PARTICIPANTS

Fifty patients were evaluated (aged 10-19 years old): 25 patients with and 25 patients without recent exposure to tobacco smoke (confirmed by cotinine/creatinine ratio).

MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES

After a clinical evaluation, all the patients replied to a validated questionnaire of the severity of the nasal symptoms. Then total nasal airway resistance was recorded by active anterior rhinomanometry.

RESULTS

Patients with exposure to tobacco smoke had a larger total resistance than patients without exposure (t-test, P < 0.01). No significant correlation was observed between the total score of the questionnaire of nasal symptoms and the nasal resistance.

CONCLUSIONS

In young patients with perennial allergic rhinitis, exposure to tobacco smoke can be related to increased nasal resistance, which may not be recognised by the report of nasal symptoms.