Is Nasal Cavity Geometry Associated With Body Mass Index, Height And Weight?

Abstract

It has been reported that nasal airflow rate and pressure increased with increasing body mass index (BMI). The purpose of this study is to determine if with an increased BMI, the nasal cavity geometry as measured by acoustic rhinometry (AR) increased in healthy adult Singaporeans. This is a population based study. Seventy-three healthy volunteers, 44 males and 29 females aged 18-64years (mean 34.9years) were selected. Their BMI was calculated from height and weight measurements. AR was used to measure the minimum cross-sectional area 1-5cm from the nostril, cross-sectional area at 3.3 and 4cm and volume 1-5cm from the nostril of the nasal cavity. There was no statistically significant correlation between BMI, height and weight with all AR measurements. Our study demonstrates that nasal cavity geometry is not affected by increasing BMI, as well as height and weight individually, of healthy adult Singaporeans. Our study indicates that subject with obesity is potentially facing a long-term physiological risk for insufficient air-exchange, or burden of increasing the respiratory rate and/or volume of each breath.