Comparison of blood absolute eosinophil count and nasal smear eosinophils with symptoms and severity of clinical score in patients of allergic rhinitis

Abstract

Introduction: Allergic rhinitis is one of the most common chronic conditions with a significant impact on the quality of life. The association between eosinophils and allergic disease has been known for many years. Nasal smear eosinophilia (NSE) (normal septal motion [NSM]) is a valuable test for the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis. Objective: The objective was to compare NSM and blood absolute eosinophil count (AEC) with the severity of the clinical score and to see the levels in patients with different symptoms and different group of patients with allergic rhinitis. Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, all patients aged more than 12 years presented to our institute; with a clinical diagnosis of allergic rhinitis were enrolled after taking written consent. Then, all patients were subjected for blood AEC and nasal smear for eosinophils. Results: There was a good correlation of NSE with severity of clinical score. There was no correlation of blood AEC with severity of clinical score and majority (94.29%) of the patients had no eosinophilia. The mean values of blood AEC, NSE, and clinical severity score were much higher in group of patients having nasal and respiratory system involvements as compared to only nasal and nasal with ocular system involvement. Conclusions: Nasal smear cytology is a simple, economical, and semi-invasive procedure having good correlation with severity of clinical score should be used routinely. There is a need to revise the normal standard value and grading of blood AEC.