EVALUATION OF A TEST FOR OBJECTIVE DIAGNOSIS OF NONALLERGIC NASAL HYPERREACTIVITY

A model for objective diagnosis of nonallergic nasal hyperreactivity h as previously been reported. In that study rhinostereometry was used t o record the nasal mucosal congestion during challenge with histamine in healthy subjects and in patients with nonallergic nasal hyperreacti vity. The aim of this study is to record and compare the nasal mucosal response with histamine challenge, in terms of congestion, in patient s with nonallergic nasal hyperreactivity suffering from different main symptoms (sneezing, blockage, or enhanced secretion). Eleven women an d seven men entered the trial. The patients were divided into three ca tegories, sneezers, blockers, and runners. The nasal mucosal congestio n during challenge with histamine was recorded with rhinostereometry a nd the results from each category were compared with each other. There is an increasing mucosal congestion during the challenge without sign ificant difference between the three categories. The results suggest t hat the model can be useful as a method for objective diagnosis of non allergic nasal hyperreactivity independent of main symptoms.