Nasal Mucociliary Clearance Time Research Articles

Evaluation of nasal mucociliary clearance in patients with psoriasis.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune pathology characterized by chronic inflammation with known multiorgan involvement. In the literature, there are few studies investigating the effects of psoriasis on upper respiratory tract mucosa. Our aim in our study was to investigate the possible effect of psoriasis disease severity and duration on nasal mucosa. A study group was formed from patients with psoriasis and disease duration, Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) and Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scores of these patients were recorded. Demographic data were noted in all participants with the participation of control group patients, saccharin test was performed to evaluate the nasal mucosa and nasal mucociliary clearance (NMC) times were measured. Psoriasis patients with pathology that may cause nasal obstruction were excluded from the study. A total of 59 people (30 patients and 29 controls) aged 20-65 years were included in the study. There was no difference in age and gender distribution between the two groups. No statistically significant difference in the NMC time between two groups. In the patients group, a correlation was observed between the NMC time to the NOSE test, but no correlation was observed between the NMC time to the duration of the disease and the PASI score. In our study, no difference was observed in NMC time between the two groups and according to the duration or severity of the disease. In addition, NOSE score of patients was also relatively low. No significant impact of psoriasis on nasal functions was found.

Naso-mucociliary Clearance Time among Patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis in Ilorin, North-central Nigeria.

The mucociliary clearance system is an important component in the prevention of chronic inflammation of the nasal and paranasal sinus. The study aims to establish the normal values of mucociliary clearance in our region and to study the variation in mucociliary activity in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis in Ilorin, North-central Nigeria. This was a prospective, cross-sectional study using consecutive consenting participants in both the control and study groups carried out at both family medicine and otorhinolaryngology clinics among patients attending the clinics. After ethical approval was sought, informed consent was obtained from patients, a modified version of the validated health questionnaire was filled, semi-structured questionnaires were also filled after which patient undergo anterior rhinoscopy, nasal patency test and spirometry was done. The saccharine test has been used to measure nasal-mucociliary clearance time in the past. All information were entered into SPSS version 20 and analysed descriptively, and results were presented in tables and figures. Consecutive consenting 125 patients with rhinosinusitis (study group) and those without rhinosinusitis (control group) underwent naso-mucociliary clearance test. There were 34 males and 91 females with a male:female ratio of 1:2.6 among the study group and 55 males and 70 females with a male:female ratio of 1:1.3 for the control group. The age range was from 18 to 68 years with 18-40 years constituting the modal age group. The mean age for the studied group was 35.7 years while that of the control group was 33.1 years. The mean naso-mucociliary clearance time among the study group was 35.1 min standard deviation (SD = 12.32 ± 1.63), while among the control group, it was 14.8 min (SD = 5.59 ± 0.43). Compared to the control group, there was a roughly 200% prolonged increase in the duration of naso-mucociliary clearance time among patients with rhinosinusitis. There was also a positive correlation with increasing age. Future studies comparing the pre-operative and post-operative treatment of rhinosinusitis will contribute to knowledge.

Evaluation of Nasal Mucociliary Clearance Time in Patients with Schizophrenia.

Nasal mucociliary clearance time (NMCT) is prolonged in patients with olfactory disorders. It is essential to differentially diagnose conductive and neural olfactory disorders. Here, we used the mucociliary clearance test to investigate a disease associated with neural olfactory disorders, i.e. schizophrenia. Data on age, gender, and duration of disease were collected. The study involved 56 schizophrenia patients and 56 healthy controls. There was no significant difference between the groups regarding age and gender (p = 0.459 and p = 0.768 respectively). Mean NMCT of patients with schizophrenia was 13.82 ± 3.22min and mean NMCT of healthy controls was 10.15 ± 2.94min. There was significant difference between the groups regarding NMCT (p < 0.001). In the patient group, there was a significant positive correlation between duration of disease, age, and NMCT (Pearson r = 0.286, p = 0.032, and Pearson r = 0.522, p < 0.001 respectively). This study has shown a prolonged NMCT in patients with schizophrenia compared to the healthy control group.

Study to Assess the Efficacy of Different Concentration of Nasal Douching on Symptoms and Mucociliary Clearance in Persistent Allergic Rhinitis

Introduction: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is acknowledged as a significant health challenge on a global scale affecting 08 – 39.7% of total population. The management of Allergic rhinitis encompasses patient education on avoidance of allergens as well as the use of pharmacotherapy and allergen- specific immunotherapy. Avoidance of allergen may not be practically applicable always and the pharmacological treatment has side effects on long term use. Hence an alternate treatment modality is required to alleviate the symptom for long duration with less side effects. Materials and Methods: we conducted a randomized double blinded prospective study on 75 patients with allergic rhinitis. They were randomized into 3 groups, 1st group using isotonic saline irrigation, 2nd group using hypertonic nasal irrigation and 3rd group as control. The evaluation was done using SNOT22 score and nasal mucociliary clearance time. Results: Isotonic Saline Nasal Irrigation was found to reduce overall symptoms better than Hypertonic Saline Nasal Irrigation group. Nasal douching also improved Nasal Mucociliary Clearance. Isotonic Saline Nasal Irrigation restored Mucociliary Clearance better than Hypertonic Saline Nasal Irrigation. Compliance to treatment was found to be good for short term. Conclusion: Nasal irrigation along with other medications definitely had better outcome in symptom control in patients with AR. However studies to know the effect of nasal douching in AR for longer duration are needed.

Correlation between the severity of lung involvement and nasal mucociliary clearance time and acute phase biomarkers in patients with COVID-19

Objectives: The aim of this research was to evaluate the correlation between the increased nasal mucociliary clearance time (NMCT) and chest computed tomography severity scores (CT-SS) and acute phase biomarkers in patients diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. Patients and Methods: A total of 116 hospitalized patients were included in the prospective study between November 2021 and June 2022. For the measurement of the NMCT, all patients underwent the saccharin test. The patients were separated into two groups: Group 1, which included 53 patients (28 females, 25 males; mean age: 50.1±13.2 years; range, 19 to 75 years) with an NMCT of 7-13 min, and Group 2, comprising of 63 patients (32 females, 31 males; mean age: 52.3±12.1 years; range, 30 to 82 years) with an NMCT of 14-21 min. The CT-SS was adapted from a previous method including ground-glass opacity, interstitial opacity, and air entrapment and was used to express the severity and rate of involvement of COVID-19 pneumonia. Results: The mean CT-SS was 3.8±1.6 in Group 1 and significantly higher in Group 2 with 6.2±2.0 (p&lt;0.001). In addition, a strong positive correlation was determined between the NMCT and CT-SS (r=0.711). The mean lung lobe involvement was 3.6±1.5 in Group 1 and 4.8±0.5 in Group 2, and the difference was statistically significant (p&lt;0.001). The mean ferritin levels showed a statistically significant difference at 244.6±146.9 mg/L in Group 1 and 436.5±449.1 mg/L in Group 2 (p=0.038). Conclusion: The saccharin clearance test is not routinely used in clinical practice but with the lights of our study’s results increased NMCT results correlates with pneumonia severity scores in CT and it may be useful in the prediction of prognosis of pneumonia in COVID-19 patients.

The effect of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease on mucociliary clearance.

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a renal disease with genetic transmisson. Mutations in the PKD1 and PKD2 genes, which encode integral membrane proteins of the cilia of primary renal tubule epithelial cells, are seen in ADPKD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sinonasal epithelium, which is epithelium with cilia, by measuring the nasal mucociliary clearance time, and to investigate the effect of ADPKD on nasal mucociliary clearance. The study included 34 patients, selected from patients followed up in the Nephrology Clinic, and 34 age and gender-matched control group subjects. The nasal mucociliary clearance time (NMCT) was measured with the saccharin test. The mean age of the study subjects was 47.15 ± 14.16years in the patient group and 47.65 ± 13.85years in the control group. The eGFR rate was determined as mean 72.06 ± 34.26mL/min in the patient group and 99.79 ± 17.22mL/min in the control group (p < 0.001). The NMCT was determined to be statistically significantly longer in the patient group (903.6 ± 487.8s) than in the control group (580 ± 259s) (p = 0.006). The study results showed that the NMCT was statistically significantly longer in patients with ADPKD compared to the control group, but in the linear regression analysis results, no correlation was determined between eGFR and NMCT.

A Comparison of Nasal Mucociliary Clearance Time in COVID-19 and Variant COVID-19 Patients

A Comparison of Nasal Mucociliary Clearance Time in COVID-19 and Variant COVID-19 Patients

Upper Airway Mucociliary Clearance is Impaired in Dyspneic COVID-19 Patients.

Covid-19 is transmitted mainly by respiratory droplets and as the upper airway mucosa is the first innate immune barrier, it is crucial to understand the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on this system. In the current study, we aimed to evaluate the nasal mucociliary clearance in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection and their symptom development. Observational cross-sectional study. The nasal mucociliary clearance (NMC) time was evaluated by the saccharin test and the results were compared between patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection (group 1) and controls (group 2, asymptomatic patients with a negative polymerase chain reaction test). We also compared the NMC time for each specific symptom suffered by participants in group 1 with the NMC time of the control group as well as with the patients in group 1 who were asymptomatic. There was a significant increase in NMC time in group 1with dyspnea when compared to the control group (p = 0.032) and also when compared to patients who were infected were not dyspneic (p = 0.04). There were no differences in the clearance times when considering other symptoms. COVID-19 patients with dyspnea present with altered nasal mucociliary clearance.

&lt;i&gt;In situ&lt;/i&gt; gels as a modern method of intranasal vaccine delivery

The continuous emergence of new pathogens and the evolution of microbial drug resistance make it absolutely necessary to develop innovative, effective vaccination strategies. Use of nasal vaccination can increase convenience, safety, cause both local and systemic immune reactions. Intranasal administration nevertheless has a number of shortcomings that can be overcome by using the latest achievements of pharmaceutical science. One of the aspects of such solution may be the use of systems for the production of intranasal vaccines in situ polymer compositions that provide a directed sol-gel transition controlled by the physiological conditions of the nasal cavity. At the same time, the gelation of the administered dose in contact with the nasal mucosa involves prolonged exposure of the drug at the injection site, greater mucoadhesion, counteraction to mucociliary clearance, modified and more complete release. A number of both foreign and domestic manufacturers produces polymers such as chitosan, gums, polyoxyethylene and polyoxypropylene block copolymers (poloxamers, proxanols), carbomers. For effective pharmaceutical development of new intranasal IBD delivery systems corresponding to the QbD concept, not only the knowledge of the range of excipients is necessary, but also simple, accessible, and reproducible methods for determining indicators that define the critical parameters of such delivery systems. In accordance with the conducted scientific search, the main indicators of standardization of in situ intranasal systems were identified: temperature and time of gel formation, gel strength, rheological characteristics, mucoadhesion, release, nasal mucociliary clearance time.

Sino-Nasal Status in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Background. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a preventable and treatable disease with serious impact on quality of life (QoL). There are limited studies available supporting coexistence of sino-nasal involvement in COPD. Methods. A prospective study was conducted to evaluate sino-nasal status in patients with COPD (n=100) presenting to the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Hospital, Jaipur from July 2011 to October 2012. COPD was diagnosed based on the Global initiative on Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines. Sino-nasal status was assessed by detailed history, radiograph of the para-nasal sinuses (PNS), nasal endoscopy and mucociliary clearance time. Results. Sino-nasal symptoms were present in 74 patients with COPD; nasal discharge (75.7%) being the most common. Tobacco smokers with COPD had a higher occurrence of sino-nasal symptoms (76.8%). Radiograph of para-nasal sinuses showed that maxillary sinus was most commonly involved. Nasal endoscopy revealed discharge in 63.5% cases. Nasal mucociliary clearance time was delayed (>11 to >40 min) in 98% cases. Nasal mucociliary clearance time was significantly delayed (>20 min) in COPD patients who were tobacco smokers as compared to non-smokers (53.7% versus 16.7%) and also related with increasing severity of COPD. Conclusions. Our observations suggest that sino-nasal involvement and delayed mucociliary clearance are common in patients with COPD, especially in tobacco smokers. Assessment of upper airway involvement in all the patients with COPD can help better therapeutic intervention and improvement in QoL.

Does Maras powder affect the nasal mucociliary clearence?

Many studies have been conducted about the effect of cigarettes and other tobacco products on mucociliary clearance. However, there has been no study of the relationship between mucociliary clearance and Maras powder, which is a smokeless tobacco product. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Maras powder use on mucociliary clearance through comparisons with cigarette smokers and those who used no tobacco products. The study included 75 male volunteers, aged 23-54years. Group 1 (n: 25) comprised subjects who do not use any tobacco products, Group 2 (n: 25) those who smoked cigarettes, and Group 3 (n: 25) those who used Maraş powder. The saccharin test was used to evaluate mucociliary clearance and the time was recorded in seconds. The groups were statistically compared in respect of mean age and mucociliary clearance time (MCCT). The mean MCCT was determined to be 645.8 ± 200 secs for the whole study sample, 497 ± 108 secs for Group 1, 796 ± 200 secs for Group 2, and 644 ± 161 secs for Group 3. The difference between the groups in respect of MCCT was statistically significant (p < 0.001). No statistically significant difference was determined between the groups in respect of mean age (p = 0.730). The study results demonstrated that the nasal mucociliary clearance time was prolonged both by cigarettes and by the use of Maras powder, and that this time was prolonged more by cigarette smoking than the use of Maras powder.

The effect of Ramadan fasting on nasal mucociliary activity and peak nasal inspiratory flow.

In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of Ramadan fasting (RF) on nasal mucociliary clearance (MCC) and peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF). Sixty-two (41 male and 21 female) healthy subjects who stated that they would fast continuously during the month of Ramadan were included in this prospective study. Day 0 (baseline), 1st day (after one day of RF), and 29th (after 29days of RF) nasal mucociliary clearance time (MCT) with saccharine test and PNIF values were determined. Subject weights (SW) were measured on Day 0 and Day 29. The obtained data were analyzed statistically. The mean of SW on day 0 was 78.53 ± 10.95kg, and the mean of SW on Day 29 was 78.69 ± 10.87kg. There was no significant difference in terms of SW (p = 0.251, p > 0.05). A significant difference was found between the MCT and PNIF values measured on different study days (p < 0.05). The MCT values for Day 29 were significantly higher than the values for other days (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the MCT values on the first day and the baseline (p = 0.891, p > 0.05). The PNIF values for Day 29 were significantly higher than the values for other days (p < 0.05). The PNIF values on the first day were significantly higher than the baseline (p = 0.008, p < 0.05). The present study showed that RF leads to MCT prolongation and PNIF increase. Ramadan fasting causes deterioration in nasal airway defense and improvement in nasal respiration.

Impact of smoking on nasal mucociliary clearance time in Kano metropolis, Nigeria.

Mucociliary clearance is an important defense mechanism in human upper and lower respiratory airways. Impairment of this process by certain conditions such as cigarette smoking can predispose to chronic infection and neoplasm of the nose and paranasal sinuses. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Kano metropolis, Nigeria. Eligible adults were enrolled, a saccharine test was conducted, and the nasal mucociliary clearance time was assessed. Analysis of the result was carried out using Statistical Product and Service Solutionsversion 23.0. There were 225 participants categorized into 75 active smokers (33.3%), 74 passive smokers (32.9%), and 76 nonsmokers (33.8%, living in a smoking-free zone). The age range of the participants was between 18 and 50 years, with a mean age of (31.2 ± 5.6) years. All participants were males. There were 139 (61.8%) of Hausa-Fulani ethnic group, 24 (10.7%) Yoruba, 18 (8.0%) Igbo, and 44 (19.5%) other ethnic groups. Findings in this study showed that the average mucociliary clearance time among active smokers was prolonged ([15.25 ± 6.20] min) compared to passive ([11.41 ± 4.25] min) and nonsmokers ([9.17 ± 2.76] min) respectively, with a statistical significance (F = 33.59, P < 0.001). Binary logistic regression revealed that the number of cigarettes smoked per day was an independent predictor of prolonged mucociliary clearance time (P = 0.008, odds ratio = 0.44, 95% confidence interval = 0.24-0.80). Active cigarette smoking is associated with prolonged nasal mucociliary clearance time. The number of cigarette sticks smoked per day was found to be an independent predictor of prolonged mucociliary clearance time.

The effect of COVID-19 on nasal mucociliary clearance

Background The impacts of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) on nasal mucociliary clearance (MCC) have shown conflicting results. Objectives The aim of this study was to determine whether COVID-19 infections affect nasal mucociliary activity using the saccharin test to measure nasal MCC time. Material and Methods This prospective comparative investigation included 25 patients with COVID-19 infection and 25 healthy controls. The nasal MCC time was assessed using the saccharin test. Saccharin test was applied to COVID-19 patients between the 10th and 20th days of COVID-19 test positivity. Patients admitted to the otolaryngology outpatient clinic with non-nasal symptoms and no history of COVID-19 infection served as the control subjects. Results Age, gender distribution, smoking, and alcohol usage, and the existence of other systemic disorders had no statistically significant differences between the groups (p = 0.25, p = 0.77, p = 1.00, p = 0.28, p = 0.54, respectively). The COVID-19 group had a mean nasal MCC time of 12.00 ± 2.51 min, compared to 9.77 ± 2.51 min in the control group. The nasal MCC time in the COVID-19 group was statistically significantly longer (p = 0.043). Conclusions and Significance The COVID-19 infection negatively affects mucociliary activity and causes prolongation of MCC. As the nasal defense mechanism weakens in the early period after COVID-19 infection, susceptibility to respiratory infections may occur.

Evaluation of Nasal Mucociliary Clearance Using Saccharin Test Versus Charcoal Test Among Filipinos in a Tertiary Government Hospital.

Background: Nasal mucociliary clearance is mainly measured using the saccharin test because it is inexpensive, readily available, and non-toxic. However, in the local setting, the authors had difficulty procuring saccharin, and this prompted the authors to look for an alternative. Upon an expansive review of the literature, the authors came to know about the use of charcoal that has the same properties as saccharin plus it is inert and easily traceable. The objectives of this study were to (1) establish the normal nasal mucociliary clearance time (MCT) using the saccharin test (ST) and charcoal test (CT) among Filipinos, (2) determine if CT can be used to determine nasal mucociliary clearance and (3) determine if the age, sex, land of dwelling, and comorbidities can prolong MCT.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study involving 50 subjects. ST and CT were performed by placing a particle of sodium saccharine and 10μg of charcoal on the medial surface and at least 1 cm behind the head of the inferior turbinate. All STs were done on the right nostril while CTs were done on the left. A 0- to 20-minute MCT was considered normal while MCT of more than 30 minutes was considered prolonged clearance. Lastly, a transit time of more than 60 minutes was considered a failed mucociliary clearance test.Results: The mean mucociliary transit time for the saccharin group was 14.48 minutes while for the charcoal group was 14.78 minutes (p=0.531). When grouped into subcategories, CT results showed a higher mucociliary clearance mean time among males, provincial residents, and those without comorbidities while ST had a higher mean mucociliary clearance time among females, Metro Manila residents, and those with comorbidities. All were noted to be not statistically significant.Conclusion: This study showed that CT is comparable with ST. Also, it can be used as an alternative to ST because the tester directly observes the charcoal transit in the oropharynx while ST relies on the patient's perception of taste that could result in false results.

The relationship between Covid-19 and mucociliary clearance

Background The effect of Covid-19 infection on nasal mucociliary clearance (MCC) is unknown. Aims/objectives The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between Covid-19 and nasal MCC in terms of smoking, Covid-19 symptoms and treatment. Methods Thirty-six patients who were hospitalized in the pandemic ward due to Covid-19 and 36 volunteers (Covid-19 negative test result) who presented to the otolaryngology outpatient clinic with non-nasal symptoms were included in this study. The Saccharin test was performed in both groups to evaluate nasal MCC. Results The patients and control groups were not significantly different in terms of age and gender. The nasal MCC time was significantly higher in the patient group compared to the control group (19.18 ± 10.84 min and 13.78 ± 8.18 min, p = .003). Conclusions and significance In this study, we found that Covid-19 prolonged nasal MCC time regardless of age. We suggest that corticosteroids should be included in the treatment of Covid-19, both with its symptom reduction and its positive effect on MCC duration.

Evaluation of nasal mucociliary clearance by saccharine test in rheumatoid arthritis

ObjectiveWe aimed to reveal whether there is nasal involvement by examining the Nasal Mucociliary Clearance (NMC) and the relationship between this activity and disease severity in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) patients. MethodsIn this prospective study, NMC time, disease activity (Disease Activity Score 28) and blood parameters of RA patients (n = 87) were investigated and compared with the healthy control group (n = 50). In addition, the relationship between DAS 28 and NMC was investigated. ResultsThe mean NMC of the RA group was 9.51 ± 3.54 min, the mean NMC of the control group was 8.69 ± 2.85 min, and there was no significant difference between the two groups. There was no correlation between NMC and disease duration, and DAS 28. The mean NMC of the RA patients with Anti Cyclic Citrulled Peptide (Anti-CCP) positive was significantly higher than the negative ones. ConclusionAlthough there was no significant difference in NMC values between the RA and control group, the NMC of the Anti-CCP positive patients was higher. Level of evidenceLevel 2.

The relationship between nasal mucociliary clearance time and the degree of smoking dependence in smokers with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between nasal mucociliary clearance time (NMCT), degree of smoking dependence, cumulative smoking burden and OSAS severity in smokers. 123 patients (Group 1) with OSAS and 92 healthy controls (Group 2) were included in the study. Group 1 was divided into smokers (Group 1a) and non-smokers (Group 1b). In Group 1a, cumulative smoking burden and Fagerström nicotine dependence test (FNDT) were questioned. Saccharin test was applied to Groups 1 and 2. Student-t, Mann-Whitney-U, Anova, Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compare the means. NMCT was higher in Group 1 than Group 2 (p = 0.005). The duration of NMCT was higher in Group 1A than Group 1B (p = 0.002). In Group 1a, NMCT values of mild and moderate OSAS patients were longer than in Group 1b (p = 0.02, p = 0.01, respectively). NMCT values of patients with mild dependence were shorter than those with moderate or severe dependence (p = 0.032, p < 0.001, respectively). Mucociliary clearance time was higher in smokers with OSAS than non-smokers. While OSAS has a negative effect on mucociliary clearance, smoking also exacerbates the condition.

Evaluation of Nasal Mucociliary Clearance Time in COVID-19 Patients

Background:Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral pandemic emerging in East Asia and spreading rapidly to the rest of the world and continuing in our country. The number of studies examining the symptoms of the otolaryngology system and organs in COVID-19 patients is limited. The purpose of this study is to show whether COVID-19 infections cause any changes in nasal physiology in adult patients by measuring the mucociliary clearance (MCC) time with the saccharin test.Methods:One hundred one patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection (group 1, n = 42 smokers and group 2, n = 59 nonsmokers) and 87 individuals without COVID-19 infection as the control group (group 3, n = 33 smokers and group 4, n = 54 nonsmokers) were included in the study. A saccharin test was used to evaluate the nasal MCC time.Results:Mucociliary clearance test averages of the groups were determined as 473.571 ± 263.684, 442.966 ± 228.463, 468.333 ± 267.367, 412.629 ± 192.179 seconds, respectively. When the test durations were examined, the group with the most prolonged MCC duration was determined as the smoking COVID (+) patient group (473.571 ± 263.684 seconds). The second group, with the most prolonged MCC duration, was determined as the smoking control group (468.333 ± 267.367 seconds). No statistically significant difference was found in intergroup mucociliary clearance time (P = 0.760).Conclusion:Although the authors found that smoking and viral infections prolong the MCC duration in our study, they did not find a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of MCC duration.

Evaluation of Nasal Mucociliary Activity in Patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate nasal airway resistance and nasal mucociliary activity in Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) patients using anterior rhinomanometry and saccharin clearance test. Methods: 30 patients with FMF disease and 30 healthy individuals were included in this prospective, cross-sectional study. Nasal airway resistance was measured via active anterior rhinomanometry and a saccharin test was carried out for the measurement of nasal mucociliary clearance (NMC) times of all participants. Results: Mean values for NMC time in the FMF patient group and control group were found as 14.6 ± 4.7 (range, 8-30) min. and 9.7 ± 2.3 (range, 6-14) min. respectively. Nasal mucociliary clearance time in the FMF patients was significantly prolonged in comparison to that of healthy controls (p &amp;lt; 0.001). We identified no significant correlation between the disease duration and NMC time (p=0.921, r = 0.019). When the mean nasal airway resistance values of both groups were compared, there was no significant difference was detected (p = 0.371). Conclusion: The results of our study have revealed that NMC time was longer in patients with FMF than healthy controls. However, there was no statistically significant correlation between nasal mucociliary clearance time and disease duration. Disruption of NMC increases the risk of infection in the upper and lower respiratory tract. Caution should be exercised against upper and lower respiratory infections in patients with FMF.