Evaluation of pulmonary function tests in allergic rhinitis patients attending a rural tertiary care hospital in South India

Abstract

Background: Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) include a variety of tests such as spirometry, the volume of lung measurement, and diffusing capacity of lung quantification. Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a kind of rhinitis related to complex symptomatology characterized by rhinorrhea, obstruction of the nasal cavity, attacks of sneezing, and irritation of the nose, palate, and eyes. PFT could be deranged in AR patients, as they sustain anomalous airway function, determined by obstruction. Hence, assessing PFT's are a crucial part of the patient workup with AR. Aim: The current study evaluated the variations in pulmonary function among AR patients. Materials and Methods: A sum of 100 people were included in the study, of which 50 people were with AR meeting inclusion criteria, whereas the same age- and gender-matched 50 persons were regarded as a “control group.” PFTs were performed after getting informed consent from both groups. Data were charted and analyzed for statistical significance by the Student's t-test. Results: P value of maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) has been observed to be the most significant, pointing toward a marked reduction of MVV in the AR patients in comparison to the control group. The P value of forced expiratory volume 1 (FEV1) is moderately significant, depicting a mild decrease in FEV1 among the study group. The P value of FEV1% has been highly significant, pointing toward a marked decrease in FEV1% among the study group participants. The P value of peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) has been highly significant, denoting a substantial decrease in PEFR in the study group. Conclusion: Alterations in the pulmonary function were evaluated by applying the PFT's among the AR patients of Salem. It was observed that PFT values such as “FEV1, FEV1%, MVV, and PEFR” demonstrated a notable reduction in the allergic patients compared to control.