[Quantitative analysis of color of the nasal mucosa]

The color of the nasal mucosa was quantitatively studied. Chromaticity of the nasal mucosa was indicated by two parameters, x (red component in RGB) and y (green in RGB) values, measured with a chromameter (MINOLTA Co., CS-100). According to preliminary studies in normal subjects, the following conditions were thought to make the method suitable for measuring the color of the nasal mucosa. 1) The chromameter can be held in the hand. 2) Brightness of the nasal mucosa should be kept as constant as possible. 3) The inferior turbinate mucosa is easier to measure than the septal one. In the preliminary study there was no significant difference in chromaticity measurements among the examiners. Chromaticity of the inferior turbinate was compared among patients with perennial nasal allergy (PNA, n = 19), with cedar pollinosis (CP, n = 11), and normal subjects serving as a control (n = 15). The x values in the PNA and CP groups were significantly lower than those in the control group (p < 0.01), and the y values were significantly higher (p < 0.02). The results agreed with the macroscopic observations made by trained rhinologists. The x values increased when azelastin was administered in five of the PNA group. This increase was related to improvement of their subjective symptoms. Quantitative analysis of the nasal mucosal color could be useful for objective evaluation of the clinical course of allergic rhinitis.