[Evaluation of rhinologic signs among smokers]

As well as others usually irritative factors, cigarettes smoke has many medical consequences that aren't well known at the present time. The aim of this study is to describe the rhinologic signs caused by cigarettes consumption.

Two groups (smoker and control) of 20 patients (10 men and 10 women) were contituted. Individual patient status was evaluated by questionnaire, analogic visual scale, clinical examination and rhinomanometry.

Nasal resistances, nasal obstruction and posterior rhinorrhea evaluated by, analogic visual scale are significantly higher in the smoker group as compared to the control group (Mann-Whitney test; total nasal resistance: p<0.00001, uninasal resistances: p<0.00001, nasal obstruction: p<0.0001, posterior rhinorrhea: p<0.01). They are significantly higher among smokers of 20 cigarettes a day than among smokers of 10 cigarettes a day.

The control group was completly safe of rhinologic signs, so we used it to confirm the normal values of nasal resistances. Posterior rhinorrhea and nasal obstruction are 2 important signs which should be researched in smokers; its severity is correlates with cigarettes consumption.

Tobacco is an important irritative factor for nasal mucosa.