Nasal symptomatology, obstruction, and paranasal sinus opacity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

CONCLUSION

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) more frequently suffer from nasal symptoms as well as upper respiratory tract obstruction compared with the healthy population.

OBJECTIVE

The relationship between chronic rhinosinusitis and bronchial asthma has been studied in detail in the past. In recent years, a limited number of authors have also studied involvement of the nose and paranasal sinuses in patients with COPD.

METHODS

This was an observational cross-sectional study with subsequent prospective assessment; 42 patients with COPD were included. The control group consisted of 12 healthy subjects. All patients with a history of rhinitis or rhinosinusitis and patients with previous surgery of the nose and sinuses were excluded from the study. Clinical variables evaluated were nasal symptoms (SNAQ-11 questionnaire), nasal endoscopy, nasal patency (active rhinomanometry), and computed tomography of paranasal sinuses.

RESULTS

In the COPD group, there was a higher occurrence of nasal symptoms and pathological findings on nasal endoscopy compared with the control group. The overall nasal airflow was higher in the control group (compared with COPD patients) and the overall nasal resistance was higher in the COPD group (compared with controls). Pathological opacity of one or more sinuses was confirmed in 38% of COPD patients.