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Peak nasal inspiratory flow--the plateau effect
R W Clarke1, A S Jones, H Richardson
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Liverpool.
The Journal of Laryngology and Otology
|May 1, 1995
Summary
Peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) effectively measures nasal patency changes. However, PNIF shows a plateau effect despite decreasing nasal resistance, indicating limitations in its sensitivity for significant nasal congestion relief.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Respiratory Physiology
Background:
- Nasal patency is crucial for respiratory function.
- Assessing changes in nasal patency is important for evaluating treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) in reflecting changes in nasal patency.
- To compare PNIF measurements with nasal resistance (NR) during induced nasal congestion.
Main Methods:
- Twenty subjects received escalating doses of intranasal xylometazoline.
- Nasal resistance (NR) and peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) were measured at rest and after each dose.
- Changes in PNIF and NR were analyzed in relation to xylometazoline dosage.
Main Results:
- Increasing xylometazoline doses progressively decreased nasal resistance.
- Peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) increased with decreasing nasal resistance.
- PNIF demonstrated a plateau effect, with less pronounced changes compared to nasal resistance reduction.
Conclusions:
- Peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) can indicate changes in nasal patency.
- A plateau effect in PNIF occurs as nasal resistance decreases, suggesting limitations in its sensitivity.
- Respiratory flow mechanics may explain the observed plateau in PNIF measurements.