Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 8, 2026
Employing the Forced Oscillation Technique for the Assessment of Respiratory Mechanics in Adults
Published on: February 9, 2022
Assessment of the bronchodilation test by visual analog scale in the selection of patients with rhinitis for
G Ciprandi1, S Quaglini, V Giunta
1Dipartimento di Medicina Interna, Università di Genova-Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino di Genova, Genova, Italy. gio.cip@libero.it
Background:
The nose and bronchi are closely linked, and rhinitis often precedes the onset of asthma. Bronchial obstruction is a characteristic of asthma, and demonstration of its reversibility is a key element in diagnosis. However, reversibility testing requires a spirometer, which is rarely available in the doctor's office. Visual analog scales (VAS) are frequently used in daily practice.
Objective:
This study evaluated the suitability of a VAS for assessing bronchodilation in patients with persistent allergic rhinitis as a means of selecting candidates for screening spirometry.
Methods:
We evaluated 120 patients with moderate to severe persistent allergic rhinitis. All patients underwent a clinical examination, skin prick test, spirometry, bronchodilation test, and VAS.
Results:
Patients with rhinitis showed significantly increased forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) after the bronchodilation test (median, 11.5%). Positive results were observed in 60%, and VAS values increased (>30%) after the test. There was a significant relationship between deltaVAS and deltaFEV1 (P<.0001; r=0.482).
Conclusion:
This preliminary study shows that patients with moderate to severe persistent allergic rhinitis often experience an increase in FEV1 after the bronchodilation test. VAS assessment of the test might be useful when selecting candidates for spirometry for possible bronchial involvement.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Assessment of Respiration
Subjective Assessment: Nurses interview the patient to gather information directly during the subjective assessment. It includes questions about the individual's medical history, medications, and symptoms, focusing on past respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD,...
01:30Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management
Clinical Assessment for Asthma:
This is the first step in diagnosing and managing asthma. It includes:
01:27Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies
Medical History
01:19Respiratory Assessment: Purpose and Indications
Objectives and Importance:
The primary goal of respiratory assessment is to evaluate patients at early risk of clinical deterioration. Since respiratory distress often precedes other signs of declining health, breathing patterns and sounds become a...
01:27Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract II: Inspection
Chest Configuration
The chest configuration can...
01:30Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles
Introduction
The initial evaluation of a patient's respiratory system...