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Caponnetto P, Emma R, Benfatto F, Ferlito S, Gulino A, Maniaci A, Lechien JR, Ingrassia A, Cocuzza S, Polosa R. Saccharin test: Methodological validation and systematic review of the literature. EAR, NOSE & THROAT JOURNAL 2021:1455613211064044. [PMID: 34915769 DOI: 10.1177/01455613211064044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Saccharin test (ST) is a convenient method to assess the efficiency of mucociliary clearance, the primary defense mechanism of the upper airways' tract. The study objectives are to: (1) substantiate its short- (3 days) and long-term (30 days) repeatability; (2) assess its tolerability; (3) conduct a systematic literature review and to compare our results with the existing evidence. METHODS Twenty-nine healthy subjects were enrolled in an observational prospective study to perform an ST on three separate visits (at baseline; at follow-up visits at day 3 and at day 30). Transit times were recorded and self-reported nasal and general symptoms noted. A systematic review of the literature was conducted to compare our results with the existing literature. RESULTS The mean values (±SD) of ST transit time (STTT) were 7.085 (±2.19), 7.788 (±2.11), and 7.790 (±2.06) minutes at baseline, day 3, and day 30, respectively. Significant linear regression analysis was observed between day 3 and baseline (r = .193; P = .019) and day 30 and baseline (r = .182 P = .024). Significant agreement for the intrasession repeatability was observed with an ICC = .354 (P = .001). Outcomes' comparisons between baseline vs day 3 (P = .197) and baseline vs day 30 (P = .173) were not statistically significant. ST was well tolerated. Concordance with existing literature's data and high level of STTT repeatability were confirmed by the qualitative analysis. CONCLUSION STTT reproducibility was good both in the short- and long-term. ST tolerability was very good. Our study data are consistent with the existing literature, indicating ST as a sound methodology for detection of early respiratory health changes and for specific regulatory application in respiratory research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasquale Caponnetto
- Centre for the Prevention and Treatment of Tobacco Addiction (CPCT), Teaching Hospital "Policlinico - V. Emanuele", 9298University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction (CoEHAR), 9298University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Rosalia Emma
- Centre for the Prevention and Treatment of Tobacco Addiction (CPCT), Teaching Hospital "Policlinico - V. Emanuele", 9298University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction (CoEHAR), 9298University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Francesca Benfatto
- Centre for the Prevention and Treatment of Tobacco Addiction (CPCT), Teaching Hospital "Policlinico - V. Emanuele", 9298University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Salvatore Ferlito
- Department of Medical Science, Surgical Science and Advanced Technologies "G.F, Ingrassia", 9298University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Alessandro Gulino
- Department of Medical Science, Surgical Science and Advanced Technologies "G.F, Ingrassia", 9298University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Antonino Maniaci
- Department of Medical Science, Surgical Science and Advanced Technologies "G.F, Ingrassia", 9298University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Jerome R Lechien
- Department of Human Anatomy and Experimental Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, UMONS Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, 54521University of Mons (UMons), Mons, Belgium
| | - Angelo Ingrassia
- Department of Medical Science, Surgical Science and Advanced Technologies "G.F, Ingrassia", 9298University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Salvatore Cocuzza
- Department of Medical Science, Surgical Science and Advanced Technologies "G.F, Ingrassia", 9298University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Riccardo Polosa
- Centre for the Prevention and Treatment of Tobacco Addiction (CPCT), Teaching Hospital "Policlinico - V. Emanuele", 9298University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction (CoEHAR), 9298University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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