CORRELATION BETWEEN SUBJECTIVE AND OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT OF NASAL HYPERREACTIVITY

The aim of this study was to investigate if there is a correlation bet ween symptom score and response to histamine challenge in patients suf fering from nonallergic nasal hyperreactivity. Eighteen patients with perennial rhinitis entered the trial. All had negative skin prick test s and normal total IgE. The nasal mucosa was challenged with three his tamine 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 anal ysis of regression there was a significant correlation when challengin g 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 as sessment of the degree of non-allergic nasal hyperreactivity.