Mucociliary clearance time in patients with and without rhinitis: a case control study

Abstract

Rhinitis may be allergic or non allergic. Allergic rhinitis, perennial or seasonal is the most common type of rhinitis, affecting approximately 20% of the population while nonallergic rhinitis affects 5-10%. While rhinitis is not a life-threatening condition, complications can occur and the condition can significantly impair quality of life. Aim: To measure the mucociliary clearance time in patients with and without rhinitis Setting: ENT, H&N, and orthopedic departments at KNH Results: 130 cases between the age of 18 and 40 years and matched controls were inducted. Females accounted for 65% of patients treated with rhinitis while sneezing was the commonest presenting symptom (96.2%), The average mucociliary clearance time was significantly different, 12.64 and 7.80minutes in cases and controls respectively (p = <0.01). Nasal crusting as well as the rheology of mucus were significant factors in determining mucociliary clearance time (p=0.05) Conclusion: In our study group, neither age nor sex affected MGT, Rheology of mucus and nasal crusting significantly affect MGT. Nonetheless, there is an overlap between normal values in cases with rhinitis and controls.