The Evaluation of Relationship Between Body Mass Index and Nasal Geometry Using Objective and Subjective Methods

Correlating Nasal Patency with Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Obese Versus Non-Obese Patients: An Acoustic Rhinometry Study

The aim of this study was to correlate nasal patency with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in obese versus non-obese patients using Acoustic Rhinometry (AR). Eccovision® Acoustic Rhinometer equipment was used to compare nasal cross-sectional areas (CSA1,2 & 3 corresponding to nasal valve region, anterior portion of middle & inferior turbinate and posterior portion of middle & inferior turbinate respectively) and volume in age and gender matched sample divided into three groups: Group 1: Non-obese patients without OSA (25 patients, 13 males and 12 females); Group 2: Non-obese patients with OSA (25 patients, 14 males and 11 females); Group 3: Obese patients with OSA (25 patients, 13 males and 12 females). The mean nasal cross-sectional areas and volume were lower in Group 2 compared to Group 1 but statistically non-significant (P value > 0.05 for all). The mean nasal cross-sectional areas and volume were significantly lower in Group 3 as compared to Groups 1 and 2 (P value < 0.05 for all). BMI showed a statistically significant positive (direct) correlation with AHI in Groups 2 and 3 (P value < 0.05 for both). The nasal cross-sectional areas and volume showed a statistically significant negative (inverse) correlation with AHI in Groups 2 and 3 (P value < 0.05 for both). OSA diagnosed cases with high BMI may not present with an obvious nasal obstruction; the nasal patency may still be compromised due to reduced nasal lumen secondary to obesity. AR, being cost-effective and non-invasive modality; is advocated to evaluate pre-treatment nasal patency, as well as follow up evaluation to ascertain improvement after the intervention.

Olfactory Perception and Different Decongestive Response of the Nasal Mucosa During Menstrual Cycle

BACKGROUND

Sex hormones are known to have some influence on nasal functions, but their effect on the decongestive response of the nasal mucosa during menstrual cycle is still undetermined.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to examine the nasal physiology, the interconnectedness of olfactory and respiratory nasal function and the decongestive response of the nasal mucosa during menstrual cycle.

METHODS

This study included 101 healthy women aged 23.26 ± 4.81 years with a regular menstrual cycle. The nasal respiratory function and the decongestive response of the nasal mucosa were examined by rhinomanometry. Subjective sense of nasal obstruction and the subjective odor intensity were assessed by standardized questionnaires. The odor identification ability was assessed by Sniffin' Sticks test.

RESULTS

Statistically significant higher values of nasal resistance (0.311 ± 0.107 Pa/cm³/s) and NOSE score (11.893 ± 13.83) were observed in the ovulatory phase compared to the luteal (0.281 ± 0.084 Pa/cm³/s and 9.029 ± 11.12). An odor identification test score was significantly higher in luteal phase (12.476 ± 1.48) compared to the ovulatory phase (11.971 ± 1.51), opposite of odor intensity. The difference of nasal resistance before and after decongestion was significantly higher in ovulatory phase (0.105 ± 0.097 Pa/cm³/s) compared to the luteal (0.084 ± 0.079 Pa/cm³/s). Correlation between subjective and objective parameters of the examinated nasal functions was not statistically significant in any menstrual phase.

CONCLUSION

In the population of women studied, total nasal resistance and NOSE score were significantly lower in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Odor identification was significantly higher in the luteal phase but odor intensity significantly higher in the ovulatory phase. The decongestive response of nasal mucosa was better in the ovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle.

How obesity affects nasal function in obstructive sleep apnea: anatomic and volumetric parameters

Introduction

Obstructive sleep apnea is a consequence of upper airway collapse. Any obstructive sector in the upper airway can contribute to pharyngeal collapse. Obesity and obesity-related disorders play an important role in obstructive sleep apnea and its relationship with increased upper airway resistance.

Objective

This study was designed to evaluate the relationship between obesity and properties of the nasal cavity in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Methods

The study was conducted retrospectively by review of medical records of adult patients. The nasal obstruction symptom evaluation, NOSE instrument, was used to measure nasal obstruction. Sleep breathing disorders were evaluated by polysomnography exams. Nasal volume was obtained by computed tomography scans and volumetric reconstruction of nasal airway. Nasal anatomic alterations were assessed by nasal endoscopy.

Results

Analysis of 83 patient records, among whom 54 were male and 29 females, found the mean body mass index of 28.69 kg/m². Obese and non-obese groups were determined by using cut-off 30 kg/m². In the comparison between groups, the obese group had a positive and significant correlation with apnea/hypopnea index (p = 0.02), NOSE instrument (p = 0.033) and inferior turbinate hypertrophy (p = 0.036), with odds ratio 1.983 (95% IC 1.048 − 3.753). nasal septum deviation (p = 0.126) and nasal airway volume evaluation (p = 0.177) showed no significant results.

Conclusion

Obesity was significantly correlated with subjective nasal obstruction, NOSE scale, and inferior turbinate hypertrophy in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. There was no correlation with the nasal volume evaluation.

Level of Evidence

3b - Individual case-control study.

Nasal airway evaluation in obstructive sleep apnoea patients: volumetric tomography and endoscopic findings

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) results from the recurrent collapse of the upper airway during sleep. Nasal abnormalities influence the stability of the pharynx. The aim of this study was to evaluate the volumetric and anatomical changes of the nasal cavity in patients with OSA. The Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale was used to grade nasal obstruction. Sleep-related breathing disorders were evaluated by polysomnography. The nasal airway volume was obtained from computed tomography scans through volumetric reconstruction of the nasal airway. Alterations to the nasal anatomy were identified by nasal fibre-optic endoscopy. Ninety-four patient charts were analyzed. The final sample comprised 32 patients with severe OSA, 16 with moderate OSA, 23 with mild OSA, and 20 without OSA. Three groups were established based on nasal obstruction and OSA. The groups were compared for nasal airway volume (P=0.464) and body mass index (P=0.001). The presence of nasal septum deviation and inferior turbinate hypertrophy were related to the NOSE score (P=0.05 for both), apnoea-hypopnoea index (P=0.03 and P=0.05, respectively), and nasal airway volume (P=0.71 and P=0.78, respectively). In this nasal airway evaluation of OSA patients, the presence of sites of obstruction was correlated with the severity of OSA; this was not the case for the evaluation of the nasal airway volume dimensions.