Active anterior rhinomanometric (AAR) evaluation of nasal airway resistance in normal Iranian sample

Background: The most important and complex phenomenon of respiratory function of the nose is related to different nasal anatomy. The differences in facial anatomic structure between different races may also be reflected in nasal resistance and airflow. Caucasians has different facial anatomic structure which is the reflection of intranasal resistance or consequence of airflow. The active anterior rhinomanometric (AAR) is recommended for objective assessment of nasal airway resistance (NAR) in inspiration and expiration which can be calculated via nasal airflow. Methods: This study designed to evaluate the resistance of the nasal airway in Iranian samples and comparing with the standard methods. An epidemiologic case series cross sectional study was designed for 100 Iranian adult volunteer without nasal breathing problems and with AAR inclusion criteria. All subjects had to undergo a primary assessment of relevant symptoms of nasal disease and nasal examination before undergoing AAR assessment. Results: The mean values of total nasal airway resistance sere 0/38±0/17 pa/cm2/s in inspiration and 0/41±0/27 pa/cm2/s in expiration at 150 pas pressure point. Unilateral nasal resistance in right and left in inspiration were respectively 0.88±0.69pa/cm2/s and 0.90±0.57at 150 pa/cm2/s pas pressure point. Also unilateral nasal resistance in right and left in expiration were respectively 0.95±0.72 pa/cm2/s and 0.95±0.57 pa/cm2/s at 150 pas pressure point. Conclusion: The study concluded that nasal airway resistance had the same range as the standard in different races and also no correlation exist between nasal resistance and sex, age, height, weight and smoking. Our suggestion is more epidemiologic studies if there are any queries in Iranians' airway resistance in larger sample size and wider areas.