Relationship between nasal mucociliary clearance and disease severity in children with allergic rhinitis: A comparative cross-sectional study

Objectives: Mucociliary clearance (MCC) is impaired due to chronic inflammation in allergic rhinitis. Our aim was to evaluate MCC in children with allergic rhinitis, to determine its relationship with disease severity and evaluate MCC change after nasal irrigation.

Materials and methods: Saccharin test was performed in 51 patients with allergic rhinitis and in 50 controls. Nasal irrigation was performed to the patients and saccharin test was repeated at the 10th minute. Total nasal symptom score (TNSS) and visual analogue scale (VAS) results were recorded. Patients were divided into mild/moderate-severe groups according to TNSS, VAS, and ARIA guidelines. Nasal MCC time (NMCCT) of the patients and the controls and NMCCT before and after nasal irrigation of the patients were compared. Correlations between NMCCT and TNSS/VAS were evaluated. NMCCTs of the mild and moderate-severe groups were compared. The cut-off values ​​were calculated to discriminate the patient group.

Results: The mean NMCCT of the patient group was higher than the controls. Mean NMCCTs were different between before and after irrigation. NMCCT was higher in uncontrolled/moderate-severe groups than in controlled/mild groups. NMCCT correlated positively with VAS and TNSS. The sensitivity and specificity of NMCCT>535s were found to be 86.27% and 94%, respectively.

Conclusions: In children with allergic rhinitis, the prolongation of MCC may be identified with the easily applicable saccharin test, the deterioration in MCC increases as disease severity increases. Nasal irrigation is important in children with allergic rhinitis to improve MCC.