Nasal mucosa temperature as a marker of disease in children with allergic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a symptomatic disorder of the nose induced after allergen exposure by an IgE-mediated inflammation of the nasal mucosa. This study was designed to investigate the role of nasal mucosa temperature in AR.

METHODS

We investigated the relationship between eosinophilic infiltration, nasal obstruction, and nasal mucosa temperature in 35 children with rhinitis aged 6-12 years.

RESULTS

A significant relationship was shown between nasal temperature values and eosinophil infiltration at nasal cytology (p < 0.01). Nasal temperature was also significantly associated with nasal obstruction, assessed in terms of nasal volume (Vol [2-5 cm]; p < 0.05) and minimum cross-sectional area (p < 0.01). No significant correlation emerged between the degree of nasal obstruction and presence of eosinophils at nasal cytology (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

These results suggest a relationship between nasal temperature and nasal mucosa inflammation and obstruction.