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Assessing the relationship between serum resistin and nasal obstruction in children with allergic rhinitis
Anna Maria Zicari1, Francesca Occasi, Azzurra Cesoni Marcelli
1Department of Pediatrics, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
Insights
Resistin levels are higher in children with allergic rhinitis and nasal obstruction. This study links higher resistin to more severe nasal obstruction in children, measured objectively.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Nasal obstruction is a key symptom of allergic rhinitis (AR), impacting quality of life and reflecting nasal inflammation.
- Resistin's role in inflammation and cytokine regulation is known, but its specific pro-inflammatory activity in the nasal passages is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between serum resistin levels and nasal obstruction in children with persistent allergic rhinitis (PAR).
- To assess nasal obstruction using an objective method, active anterior rhinomanometry.
Main Methods:
- Fifty-three children (4-10 years) with PAR were divided into groups.
- Serum resistin levels were measured.
- Active anterior rhinomanometry was performed to objectively assess nasal obstruction.
Main Results:
- Serum resistin levels were significantly higher in children with moderate-severe PAR compared to mild PAR (p < 0.03).
- Resistin levels were significantly higher in children with objective nasal obstruction (positive rhinomanometry) versus those without (p < 0.03).
- A significant negative correlation was found between nasal airflow (fraction of predicted values) and serum resistin levels (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- This study demonstrates elevated resistin levels in children experiencing severe nasal obstruction.
- Objective measurement via rhinomanometry confirms the association between resistin and the severity of nasal obstruction in pediatric allergic rhinitis.
Background:
Nasal obstruction has been reported as a "key symptom" of allergic rhinitis (AR) because it is deeply associated with impaired quality of life and it reflects more directly the allergic inflammation in the nasal mucosa. Resistin is known to be involved in inflammatory processes exerting an important role in the regulation of cytokine production even though its effective proinflammatory activity at nasal level has never been fully established. This study investigates the relationship between resistin levels and nasal obstruction assessed by an objective method such as active anterior rhinomanometry.
Methods:
Fifty-three children between 4 and 10 years of age affected by persistent allergic rhinitis (PAR) were enrolled and subdivided in two groups. Serum resistin levels were detected in all children. The same day patients underwent rhinomanometry, which was considered negative (no nasal obstruction) when the fraction of predicted values (p.v.'s) was between 71 and 100% and it was considered positive when the fraction of p.v. was ≤70%.
Results:
The serum resistin levels were significantly higher in children with moderate-severe PAR than in patients with mild PAR (p < 0.03). Furthermore, serum resistin levels were significantly higher in children with positive rhinomanometry compared with negative rhinomanometry (p < 0.03). The fraction of p.v.'s of nasal flows in patients with nasal obstruction had a significant negative correlation with serum resistin levels (p < 0.001).
Conclusion:
This study provides evidence that resistin levels are increased in children with severe nasal obstruction measured by an objective and quantitative approach.
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