CORRELATION BETWEEN SUBJECTIVE AND OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT OF NASAL HYPERREACTIVITY

The aim of this study was to investigate if there is a correlation between symptom score and response to histamine challenge in patients suffering from nonallergic nasal hyperreactivity. Eighteen patients with perennial rhinitis entered the trial. All had negative skin prick tests and normal total IgE. The nasal mucosa was challenged with three histamine concentration levels, 1, 2 and 4 mg/ml. The objective response was recorded with rhinostereometry and was compared to symptom scores estimated by the patients on a visual analogue scale. With simple analysis of regression there was a significant correlation when challenging with 2 mg/ml (R = 0.695, p < 0.01) and 4 mg/ml (R = 0.569, p < 0.05). The results indicate that the model could be useful for objective assessment of the degree of non-allergic nasal hyperreactivity.